Rogers calls Palmer commitment doubts 'a lie' as Chelsea star stays out of England squad

Morgan Rogers has publicly defended Chelsea forward Cole Palmer against suggestions he lacks commitment to England, calling such claims “a lie” after Tuchel left Palmer out of the squad for the November international window.

Palmer has now missed consecutive England camps. Tuchel, explaining the latest omission, said the Chelsea forward “misses too many opportunities to impress” — a pointed remark that followed Palmer’s withdrawal from the previous squad with a minor injury. Palmer was also absent from England’s roster for the 2026 World Cup.

Rogers, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after scoring in England’s 2-1 win over Croatia on Thursday, pushed back firmly. “It’s a lie,” he said. “He wants to be here. 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.”

The Aston Villa midfielder revealed that Palmer has been quietly managing physical problems for some time. “We all know he had a difficult year last year with injuries and I know personally he’s been managing the injuries ever since,” Rogers said. “He was in quite a low place with his injuries last year and didn’t feel 100 per cent himself on the pitch.”

Rogers argued that Palmer’s caution is a long-term calculation rather than a snub to the national team. “He wants to play for 10, 15 years. If he has to manage himself in the short term for the greater good then you have to fully support it. It has nothing to do with England or not wanting to play with England.”

Palmer is one of five players who withdrew from the previous England camp, alongside Declan Rice, Kobbie Mainoo, Tino Livramento and Marcus Rashford. Of that group, only Rice has been recalled for the current window, with Tuchel reiterating that he favours players who “walk the talk”.

Despite the friction, Rogers said he hopes to see Palmer back in an England shirt soon. Palmer has started every Chelsea game this season, suggesting his club form is not the issue. “What a player he is. What a person he is,” Rogers added. “He’s got so much quality, so much ability. We all know what he can do, what he’s done, so of course we want to see him in an England shirt and hopefully sooner rather than later.”