Tuchel mulls Cole Palmer recall and Alex Scott for England Nations League squad
Thomas Tuchel is considering a recall for Chelsea forward Cole Palmer and could include Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott in his England squad for the Nations League, with his first selection since the World Cup due to be confirmed on Friday morning.
Tuchel has been weighing the claims of several players who missed his squad last summer. Palmer was omitted after struggling for form and fitness but has started the season with four goals and two assists. England finished third at the World Cup but faced criticism for their performance in the semi-final defeat by Argentina. Several candidates are competing to fill the No 10 role.
Tuchel took Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze and Morgan Rogers to the World Cup and left out Phil Foden, Morgan Gibbs‑White and Palmer. Gibbs‑White has started the season well for Nottingham Forest and is in contention for selection. Fulham’s Josh King is another contender after being one of four youngsters included as a training player for England’s camp in Florida before the World Cup.
Scott, the 23‑year‑old Bournemouth midfielder who missed the World Cup, has been selected for consideration after an impressive start to the season and was close to going to the tournament. He is yet to make his senior international debut but is admired by Tuchel, who regretted not taking the Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha to the World Cup.
Tuchel could alter his selections because a number of players who went to the World Cup are carrying fitness issues. Dean Henderson, Djed Spence, Dan Burn, John Stones and Jordan Henderson are listed with fitness concerns, creating opportunities for others to press their case. Players mentioned as seeking to catch Tuchel’s eye include the Leeds striker Dominic Calvert‑Lewin and the Forest forward Liam Delap, while Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton is yet to convince the head coach.
Defensive options under consideration include Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Chelsea’s Levi Colwill in central defence, with Newcastle’s Lewis Hall offering competition at left‑back. The uncapped duo of Everton’s Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall and Bournemouth’s Marcus Tavernier have been described as dark horses in attacking midfield. There is also intrigue over whether Real Madrid right‑back Trent Alexander‑Arnold will be picked after more than a year out of the international picture.
An extended England squad is expected to be announced on Friday morning, and Tuchel will finalise selections ahead of the Nations League Group A3 opening fixtures against Spain and Croatia and a double header against Czechia.