Palmer’s England exit fuels injury‑faking claims, Xabi Alonso’s plan

Cole Palmer withdrew from the England squad for the current international break, citing load‑management, and the move instantly sparked he was faking an injury to avoid representing his country. The midfielder had originally been named by Thomas Tuchel in his England selection before pulling out. His absence comes as Chelsea suffered a defeat to Brentford.

Palmer featured in the loss, with Chelsea unable to overturn Brentford’s lead despite his involvement. The result left the Blues trailing in the league table.

Injury controversy

Injuries have plagued Palmer throughout the 2025/26 campaign, contributing to his omission from England’s squad for this summer’s World Cup. The string of setbacks meant he missed the chance to play on football’s biggest stage.

At the start of the season he appeared to have rediscovered form and fitness, prompting Thomas Tuchel to include him in his England squad for the international break. That inclusion was short‑lived once the load‑management withdrawal was announced.

Former Premier League defender James Chester argued that Palmer was deliberately feigning injury, saying he “had got the hump”. “He’s got the hump that he didn’t go to the World Cup, and he’s pulled out of the England squad,” Chester told the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast. “It sounds to me as an ex‑player that he’s gone to the fitness coach at Chelsea and said, ‘really, I don’t fancy it, just say something’.”

Club and managerial speculation

A report from Football Insider claimed to have uncovered a plan involving Chelsea and Xabi Alonso after Palmer’s withdrawal, describing it as a “calculated gamble”. Everton chief executive Keith Wyness echoed that sentiment, noting that “last year, Palmer wasn’t really in great form, but he does seem to have started off the season pretty strong”.

Wyness added that the club had weighed options and decided “we won’t get into these pretty meaningless games coming up and, then, when the big ones come up, we’ll make ourselves available”. He suggested that Thomas Tuchel’s prior experience with Palmer would prevent any issue if the player later declares himself available for England. Wyness warned that “certain England games are going to be pick and choose now for players like Palmer” and that clauses concerning England appearances are likely to be built into any future agreements.