Keane tells England fans to forget Palmer after 'bad habits' withdrawal criticism

Roy Keane has urged England fans to abandon any hope that Cole Palmer will take the national team to the next level, labelling the Chelsea forward as a player with ‘far too many bad habits’ following his latest withdrawal from international duty.

Palmer, 24, pulled out of Thomas Tuchel’s squad ahead of the June international window citing a minor injury — one of five players to withdraw from the initial selection. The absence drew a pointed response from Tuchel, who said Palmer ‘misses too many camps’ due to fitness problems, and it has now drawn further scrutiny from Keane.

“I think, whatever his injuries — and if he is injured — I watched his last game against Brentford and if you think he’s going to get England to another level and win trophies, forget about it,” Keane said on ITV ahead of England’s 3-2 home defeat to Spain on Saturday. “I like Palmer, he’s a talented boy, but he’s got far too many bad habits for me.”

Tuchel called up Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White as Palmer’s replacement. The 26-year-old came on as a late substitute in the loss to Spain and is expected to feature across England’s remaining fixtures in the window.

The England manager made clear that Palmer’s repeated absences are beginning to cost him standing in the squad. “He misses too many opportunities, and I don’t blame him for it. It’s just the fact,” Tuchel said. “He misses way too many camps with injuries and I only want to rely on what I personally witness and what I see within my team, and for that you have to be in camp.”

Tuchel also outlined the depth of options available to him in the attacking midfield role, naming Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers, Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze as players all present and ready to compete for the position.

“What sticks with me is the week that I have with the others,” Tuchel added. “They lose that. That sticks because we create something. We actually work off the field, on the field, about our principles, on how to be in. This brotherhood is so important and you miss out if you’re not there.”

Palmer had previously been left out of England’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, making his recall and subsequent withdrawal all the more damaging to his international prospects.