Morgan Rogers has firmly rejected claims that Cole Palmer lacks commitment to the England setup, labeling such suggestions as “a lie” and “nonsense.” Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live following Wednesday’s 2-1 UEFA Nations League victory over Croatia at Wembley, the Chelsea forward defended his childhood friend and club teammate, who was notably omitted from the current squad. Rogers emphasized that Palmer is eager to represent his country, stating, “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.”
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The defensive stance comes amid ongoing tension between Palmer and England manager Thomas Tuchel, who previously cited that the 24-year-old “misses too many chances to impress” as a reason for his exclusion. This follows Palmer’s absence from the 2022 World Cup squad and his withdrawal from the September training camp due to a minor injury. Despite the controversy, Rogers highlighted the strong bond between the two players, underscoring that Palmer’s desire to play for England remains unwavering despite the current squad selection disputes.
The match itself saw England secure a crucial win, with Rogers scoring the opening goal to set the tone for the team. Harry Kane subsequently added a penalty, marking a historic milestone on his record-breaking 126th appearance for the men’s side. While the result provided a positive outcome for the Three Lions, the post-match focus shifted to the internal dynamics of the squad, with Rogers’s comments serving as a public rebuttal to narratives suggesting Palmer is disengaged from the national team project.
Source: BBC Sport
