Morgan Rogers denies claims Cole Palmer does not want to play for England

Morgan Rogers said on Thursday, after England’s 2-1 Nations League win over Croatia, that claims Cole Palmer does not want to play for England are "a lie." Palmer was omitted from the squad for this week’s Nations League ties against Croatia and Spain.

Palmer, the 24-year-old Chelsea forward, withdrew from last month’s England camp with a groin injury and has faced public questioning over his commitment since. Thomas Tuchel, who did not take Palmer to last summer’s World Cup, said at the time the Chelsea attacker "misses too many opportunities" to play for his country. Tuchel last week insisted Palmer’s latest exclusion was "not personal" but has stressed the importance of players attending camp, and earlier described it as "hard to argue" when it was suggested Palmer did not want to play for the national team after a fourth withdrawal.

Rogers delivered a direct defence of his teammate on the pitch and to reporters, saying: "It's a lie. 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.

"We all know he had a difficult year last year with injuries and I know personally he’s been managing them injuries ever since. He was in quite a low place with his injuries last year and didn’t feel 100% himself on the pitch, so he wants to be here and he wants to be the best version of himself. Of course he does, who wouldn’t? But he also has to look at his body. He wants to play for 10 to 15 years, he also has to manage himself.

"If he has to manage himself in the short term for the greater good then he has to do that and you have to fully support it. It has nothing to do with England or not wanting to play with England. It’s a nonsense really that people are questioning someone that wants to play for England. You see the joy and smile on his face, how much he loves the game, so I honestly don’t get it and he doesn’t get it. But it’s something he has to deal with but I can assure you he wants to be here and he wants to play for his country."

Tuchel said he had no problem with Rogers defending a teammate: "It’s totally fine, it’s his teammate and friend," adding: "I was very happy with the emotional commitment and physical commitment of Morgan. He was our standout player today." Tuchel has named Eberechi Eze, Rogers and Josh King as cover at No 10 for Jude Bellingham.

Rogers started on the right and opened the scoring as England secured the victory that confirmed their place in the Nations League quarter-finals next March. Petar Sucic levelled for Croatia before Harry Kane restored the lead from the penalty spot on a night when the captain became his country’s most capped player.

The match was slightly overshadowed by jeering aimed at Ben White when he came on in the second half, with some supporters still critical after his early departure from the camp at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. On that, Tuchel said: "I didn’t hear the boos. I thought we were past it. I hope it doesn’t happen again. He is a player for us. Since I came in he is desperate to be in the group. He hasn’t put a foot wrong since I am in charge. He is part of our group and I will protect our group. He deserved to be with us and I hope to open a new chapter for him."

A win in Madrid on Sunday would hand Tuchel’s side top spot in Group A3.