Huge blow for England as key player withdraws from squad

Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer has left the England squad and returned to the club’s Cobham training ground for the rest of the international break. 

The Blues confirmed on Tuesday evening that the attacker had withdrawn from Lee Carsley’s squad for the Three Lions’ upcoming Nations League matches against Finland and the Republic of Ireland.

Palmer had been included in the England squad alongside Chelsea teammates Levi Colwill and Noni Madueke, but he will play no part in either of their games and will instead return to London to ‘continue rehabilitation for ongoing issues’.

Palmer, 22, joined Chelsea from Manchester City last summer and enjoyed a remarkable debut season at Stamford Bridge, scoring 25 times and providing 15 assists in 45 games for the club across all competitions.

Palmer scored England’s equaliser against Spain in the final of Euro 2024

That form earned him a first call up to the England senior setup, then under Gareth Southgate, and he made his debut for the Three Lions in November last year.

Palmer has now played nine times for England, scoring twice, the most recent of which was an equaliser against Spain in the final of the European Championships earlier this summer.

In his absence, Chelsea teammate Madueke will be hopeful of making his England debut during either of their two upcoming matches.

The former PSV Eindhoven man scored an impressive hat-trick against Wolves last week, with all three goals being assisted by Palmer.

England travel to face Ireland on Saturday before welcoming Finland to Wembley on Tuesday evening.