Former West Ham defender James Collins has questioned Cole Palmer’s withdrawal from the England squad, suggesting that the Chelsea midfielder may have exaggerated or fabricated a muscle injury to remain with his club.
Palmer pulled out of England’s squad earlier this week after being recalled by manager Thomas Tuchel for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Spain, the Czech Republic and Croatia.
Chelsea confirmed that the 24-year-old was dealing with a muscle injury, which ruled him out of international duty. Palmer had previously missed the World Cup squad but earned a recall after producing an impressive run of form for Chelsea.
The midfielder has made seven appearances across all competitions this season, scoring four goals and providing two assists. His performances represent an improvement from last season, when a persistent groin problem affected his campaign.
However, Palmer’s withdrawal from the England squad generated debate on social media, with some questioning whether he was genuinely injured or had opted to remain with Chelsea.
Collins was among those who expressed doubts about the injury, claiming Palmer could be unhappy over his previous omission from England “I think Palmer has a chip on his shoulder. He’s upset he didn’t make the World Cup, so he pulled out of the England squad. That’s’s World Cup squad.
Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast for BoyleSports and Footy Accumulators, Collins said: “I think Palmer has a chip on his shoulder. He’s upset he didn’t make the World Cup, so he pulled out of the England squad. That’s my take on it.
“I don’t know the lad, but from a former player’s perspective, I think he just has a chip on his shoulder.
“From a former player’s perspective, it sounds like he went to the Chelsea physio and said, ‘I really don’t want to go, just make up any excuse.’ It might not be like that, but I’ve played the game, and that’s how it seems to me.”
Palmer’s absence means he will miss an opportunity to impress Tuchel during the international break, having been recalled to the England setup following his strong club performances.
Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf also warned that the withdrawal could have implications for Palmer’s international prospects, although he stressed that the midfielder’s future with England would ultimately depend on his performances.
Leboeuf told Mr Gamble: “This could harm Palmer’s England career, but if he can play at the level he did two or three years ago, Thomas Tuchel will have to call him up every time.
“The media and fans will demand his inclusion. It’s a tricky situation, but hopefully he only pulled out because he wasn’t 100% fit. If it’s just a minor injury and he’s staying to rest, that’s good news for Chelsea. That’s all I can say.”
