'A lie' & 'nonsense' - Palmer committed to England, says Rogers

Morgan Rogers says any suggestion Cole Palmer is not committed to England "is a lie" and "nonsense".

Rogers scored the opener in Wednesday's 2-1 Uefa Nations League win over Croatia, with Harry Kane adding a penalty on his record-breaking 126th appearance for the men's side.

But his Chelsea team-mate, and childhood friend, Palmer had been left out of the squad after boss Thomas Tuchel said he "misses too many chances to impress".

The 24-year-old Palmer, who was also not called up for the World Cup, withdrew from the previous England camp in September citing a minor injury.

Forward Rogers, also 24, was asked about the criticism of Palmer following the win at Wembley, and told BBC Radio 5 Live: "He wants to be here.

"He wanted to get called up and he wanted to come and represent his country as he always has done.

"He was in quite a low place with his injuries last year and didn't feel 100% himself on the pitch, so he wants to be here and he wants to be the best version of himself.

"But he also has to look at his body. He wants to play for 10 or 15 years, he also has to manage himself. If he has to manage himself in the short term for the greater good then he has to do that and you have to fully support it.

"It has nothing to do with England or not wanting to play with England. It's a nonsense really that people are questioning someone that wants to play for England. It's a lie.

"You see the joy and smile on his face, how much he loves the game, so I honestly don't get it and he doesn't get it."

In the three years since his England debut, Palmer has only won 14 caps, scoring two goals - including one in the Euro 2024 final defeat by Spain - and having one assist.

That is despite scoring 50 Premier League goals with 24 assists.

He was named England's men's player of the year for the 2023-24 season after some impressive form, including his strike against Spain in the Berlin showpiece.

But Palmer has only featured in three of Tuchel's 27 games since he succeeded Gareth Southgate as manager.

Some sketchy form last season, though, meant the former Manchester City player missed out on the the summer World Cup, with England going on to finish third after losing to Argentina in the semi-final.

He was named in Tuchel's first squad after that, but withdrew despite having played in all Chelsea's league games to that point.

Tuchel said this week: "We have enough number 10s and we stick to the guys who were in the previous camp because we were happy with the two and a half weeks we had together.

"I guess everyone is desperate to play for England and Cole is no exception.

"We are speaking now about a player that is not in camp. It counts when you are in camp and I just said last time that he misses too many opportunities to impress."

But the German added: "It's not personal. We will never assume Cole is in the mindset never to come to the camp.

"Cole is always in our mindset but the competition is on."

Palmer should not give up hope of getting back into Tuchel's good books.

Last October Jude Bellingham was left out of the squad for a friendly against Wales and a World Cup qualifier against Latvia.

The Real Madrid midfielder then ended up being a key part of the England team at the World Cup, scoring seven goals.

Former Three Lions goalkeeper Paul Robinson added on BBC Radio 5 Live: "You can see what Thomas Tuchel is doing when you look at what he's done with Jude Bellingham.

"It was only 12 months or so that Jude Bellingham was getting left out of an England squad. Jude Bellingham was getting left out of England starting XIs.

"Call it what you want, but it was management from Thomas Tuchel to make Jude Bellingham realise that he wasn't the lone star of this team. The team was the star. The team was better with Jude Bellingham in it, playing at his highest level.

"There was a lesson in his management skills with Jude Bellingham and I wouldn't be surprised if he's doing the same now."