Simon Phillips has heard a different reason for Cole Palmer pulling out of the England squad
It was initially reported by David Ornstein on Monday morning that Cole Palmer had withdrawn from the England squad due to ‘load management’ and that he had a minor muscle injury.
Palmer endured a horrendous 2025-26 campaign. On a recent gaming stream, Palmer said he played last season on one leg. He even said in an interview last season that he had been unable to shoot at times.
He still had a hand in 14 goals. Alan Shearer described his situation as “horrible”, able to play with the issue but not capable of pushing himself to the full extent, saying it is a situation he had been in before.
Fast forward to now, and Palmer was given a call-up by Thomas Tuchel. The England manager said he had a point to prove with The Three Lions, but now Palmer has withdrawn from the squad this month.
Simon Phillips shares insight into Cole Palmer’s withdrawal
He’s not the only one. Declan Rice, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and other England players have decided to pull out of the international break, with England facing four games over the next few weeks.
The reason given was load management and dealing with a minor muscle injury. But according to Simon Phillips, the decision – whether it was Palmer’s or Chelsea’s – is simply to reduce any fatigue for Palmer.
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“Kieran Gill who obviously speaks directly to Chelsea a lot, has said that Chelsea sources are describing Palmer’s England withdrawal as a muscular injury which needs managing,” he said on his podcast.
“But basically, I’ve heard that Chelsea just don’t want to overload him with fatigue. They don’t want to risk him getting injured. So they’re going to call it an injury, and I think it’s smart,” Phillips continued.
Xabi Alonso’s ruthlessness evident in Cole Palmer withdrawal
Palmer will have been desperate to play for his country and prove the point Tuchel has laid out, after he was omitted from the World Cup squad. The same goes for Joao Pedro, who was called up by Brazil.
But Pedro and Palmer have withdrawn, while Reece James and Moises Caicedo were not included in the squads. It shows the ruthlessness of the new manager, who has clearly had a say in the recent call-ups.
Had Liam Rosenior or Graham Potter requested his best players to miss representing their countries, you can imagine the response. But because it is Alonso, they’ve listened. Alonso is a winner, and this is proof.
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