Chelsea: Cole Palmer to withdraw from Thomas Tuchel's first England squad | OneFootball

The Blues star missed the loss at Arsenal with a muscle injury

Injured: Cole Palmer

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Cole Palmer is expected to pull out of Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad, with the Chelsea star set to have a scan on a muscle problem on Monday.

Only 24 hours earlier, the playmaker had been called up by Tuchel for the first games of his Three Lions reign, World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia at Wembley this month.

Maresca had suggested ahead of kick-off in Sunday’s London derby that Palmer would be fit for Chelsea’s meeting with Tottenham on the other side of the international break. But when asked whether he would be available for England before then, the Italian said: “I don’t think so to be honest.

“His injury was from yesterday’s session and it’s a muscle problem. So, I don’t think so. He needs a scan and it’s planned for Monday, for tomorrow morning.

Palmer is in the midst of his worst run of form since signing for Chelsea from Manchester City in the summer of 2023.

The 22-year-old has gone ten games without a goal across all competitions, and more than three months without an assist, and Maresca believes missing out on England duty could prove a blessing in disguise.

“We don’t wish players to get injured but in Cole’s case, in this moment, it will give him some rest, physically and mentally,” Maresca added. “It could be good.”