Tuchel says Palmer omission is not personal

Thomas Tuchel has insisted that Cole Palmer's absence from the England squad is not personal, according to Sky Sports. The Chelsea attacker was left out for the November Nations League games, and Tuchel said the decision rests on what players do in camp.

A check by the England medical staff with Chelsea confirmed that Palmer is fit and ready to play this weekend. Pressed on why a player with six goal involvements in nine Premier League games for Chelsea this season could not break in, Tuchel repeated the value of the previous camp. "I said last time, he misses too many opportunities to impress," Tuchel said.

Tuchel said that everyone is desperate to play for England and that Palmer is no exception. "It's not personal," he said, adding that the players who were in camp did an amazing job and kept their place. Asked whether Palmer could find a way back in, Tuchel said that the door is always open.

During Tuchel's tenure Palmer has been unavailable for selection through injury three times and has withdrawn from a further two squads. Tuchel made headlines in September when he said Palmer misses too many opportunities to impress him, after the attacker withdrew because of injury. The England boss has prioritised players who were available and delivered in the previous international break.

Kobbie Mainoo also withdrew from the last camp and has been left out of this squad, which Tuchel believes sends a clear message about the impact of withdrawing. "That was always the message since early when we took charge: it matters when you're in camp," Tuchel said.

Among the No 10 options, Jude Bellingham, Morgan Gibbs-White, Eberechi Eze and Morgan Rogers keep their places from the previous round of internationals. Nineteen-year-old Josh King, who was part of the pre-World Cup training group, is included too, and Tuchel said he wants to see him on both wings. England face their final two Nations League A3 games this month, knowing that a point against Croatia will seal a place in the competition's quarter-finals.