Thomas Tuchel believes Chelsea star Cole Palmer ‘has a point to prove’ after earning a recall to the England squad for a three-week, four-game Nations League camp.
Tuchel’s Three Lions will take on Spain at home on Saturday, September 26 (kick-off 7.45pm), then travel away to tackle Czech Republic on Tuesday, September 29 (7.45pm).
England then face an away clash with Croatia on Saturday, October 3 (5pm) before wrapping up the international break with a home clash with Czech Republic (7.45pm).
The squad has a new look compared to the one Tuchel selected for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, with in-form Blues forward Palmer getting a recall after a flying start to the new season under new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso.
Numbers game
Former Chelsea chief Tuchel, who selected a 27-man squad for the quartet of games, told a press conference: “Cole has his starts that he always had, but he has his numbers back, he has assists back, he has decisive goals back.
“So that’s why he’s in the squad, and I think he has a point to prove.
“It is one thing to be nominated, by the way, like with Cole and getting your ticket back in the squad, but it’s another thing to perform for England.
“And this also comes so especially also Cole needs to step up when he comes and needs to show these kind of numbers, and these kind of performances, to get his place, to keep his shirt, and to justify the nomination.”
England fans were largely in agreement that Real Madrid full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold should have been in the World Cup squad, which ultimately secured third place after losing to Argentina in the semi-finals of the tournament, which Spain won.
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TAA in the right-back mix
And the former Liverpool fans’ favourite has returned to the England fold, with Tuchel telling Sky Sports: “He was never off the list. He was never non-selectable for us, and it’s his chance to show, come to camp, and be the best version of himself.
“He had a good start in two positions for Real Madrid, and he comes as a right-back for us.
“He was not with us at the World Cup. I chose other players.
“I still stick with this decision, and this is now time to fight for his place.
“He always said he’s up for a fight. He always said he’s up to fight for his place, especially for England.
“So, it’s on him to prove, and he’s more than welcome in camp. We have a long camp. I’m sure he will show up.”
Man City’s Foden overlooked
Lewis Hall, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Dominic Calvert-Lewin all got call-ups, while Phil Foden, Morgan Gibbs-White, Adam Wharton, Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney and Noni Madueke were all overlooked by Tuchel.
John Stones, Djed Spence, Dan Burn, Jordan Henderson and Dean Henderson miss out through injury.
Full England squad
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Jason Steele (Brighton & Hove Albion), James Trafford (Leeds United)
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Real Madrid), Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Trevoh Chalobah (Como), Marc Guéhi (Manchester City), Lewis Hall (Newcastle United), Ezri Konsa (Arsenal), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City), Jarrell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen)
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Manchester City), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Alex Scott (AFC Bournemouth)
Forwards: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Anthony Gordon (Barcelona), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Rio Ngumoha (Liverpool), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Morgan Rogers (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
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Michael Davey 
SportJustSport writers