Palmer has 50 Premier League goals but played in only three of Tuchel's 27 England games

Cole Palmer has scored 50 Premier League goals and set up 24 more. For England, he has played in three of Thomas Tuchel's 27 games in charge. That gap is what Morgan Rogers was asked about after scoring the opener in this week's 2-1 win over Croatia at Wembley, and the Chelsea forward, Palmer's club teammate and childhood friend, did not hold back.

"He wants to be here," Rogers told BBC Radio 5 Live. "He wanted to get called up and he wanted to come and represent his country as he always has done. People just see it as news and say the easy thing."

Rogers tied the questions about Palmer's commitment to his injury history. "He was in quite a low place with his injuries last year and didn't feel 100% himself on the pitch," he said. "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."

Palmer, 24, was left out of this squad for the Nations League games against Croatia and Spain even though England checked with Chelsea's medical staff beforehand and were told he was fit, according to The Telegraph. He had pulled out of the previous camp in September with what was described as a minor injury, and The Telegraph counted it as his fourth withdrawal from an England squad.

Tuchel's explanation was that Palmer "misses too many opportunities to impress." He also said, "We have enough number 10s and we stick to the guys who were in the previous camp," and that "it counts when you are in camp." The Telegraph reported that he admitted it was "hard to argue" with those questioning Palmer's commitment, while ESPN quoted him saying last week that it "was not personal."

According to BBC Sport, Palmer has won 14 caps in the three years since his England debut, with two goals, one of them in the Euro 2024 final loss to Spain, and one assist. He was England's men's player of the year for 2023-24. He then missed the summer's World Cup, where England finished third after losing to Argentina in the semifinal.

His club form this season has been steady rather than spectacular: five goals and three assists in 12 games in all competitions, per Sky Sports. Rogers was clear about what he wants. "Of course I do," he said when asked if he wants to see Palmer in an England shirt. "Hopefully sooner rather than later."

England close the group in Madrid against Spain, the team Palmer scored against in Berlin. He won't be there, and the next squad will show whether Tuchel's door is as open as he says it is.