Morgan Rogers says ‘it’s a lie’ that Cole Palmer does not want to play for England

Morgan Rogers has said accusations that his Chelsea teammate Cole Palmer is not committed to playing for England are “a lie”.

Palmer, who was left out of the squad for this week’s Nations League ties against Croatia and Spain, has faced questions over his desire to play international football since withdrawing from last month’s camp with a groin injury. Thomas Tuchel, who did not take the 24-year-old to last summer’s World Cup, expressed irritation at the time, saying the Chelsea attacker “misses too many opportunities” to play for his country.

Tuchel last week insisted Palmer’s latest exclusion was “not personal” but he has placed plenty of store in players showing up to camp. The German has previously said it was “hard to argue” when it was put to him that Palmer does not want to play for the national team after his fourth withdrawal from a squad. But Rogers, who scored in England’s 2-1 win over Croatia on Thursday, delivered a strong rebuttal to claims his friend and teammate is not dedicated to the national team.

“It’s a lie,” Rogers 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.

“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 had no issue with Rogers’s defence of Palmer. “It’s totally fine, it’s his teammate and friend,” England’s manager said. “I was very happy with the emotional commitment and physical commitment of Morgan. He was our standout player today.”

Tuchel is not short of options at No 10 and has selected Eberechi Eze, Rogers and Josh King as cover for Jude Bellingham. Rogers played on the right against Croatia and opened the scoring as England secured the win that secured England’s place in the Nations League quarter-finals next March.

England were pegged back by Petar Sucic’s equaliser but they restored their lead thanks to Harry Kane converting a penalty on the night when the captain became his country’s most capped player. Tuchel’s side will win Group A3 if they beat Spain in Madrid on Sunday. But the occasion was slightly overshadowed by Ben White being booed when he came on in the second half. Some fans are yet to forgive White for his self-imposed exile after his early departure from the camp at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

“I didn’t hear the boos,” Tuchel said. “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.”