Xabi Alonso explains why Cole Palmer skipped England duty amid Chelsea plan

Xabi Alonso has revealed Cole Palmer was “cautious” with the injury he was carrying ahead of England duty and withdrew because he felt he “wouldn't have played how he wanted”.

Palmer was initially selected by Thomas Tuchel for the four England matches in the Nations League but dropped out ahead of the squad meeting up.

On Friday, Alonso revealed Palmer is “ready to go” ahead of Chelsea’s game against Bournemouth on Saturday. Alonso said Moises Caicedo, Joao Pedro, Reece James and Marco Palestra were also all back fit.

“Now he’s fine,” Alonso said, expanding on Palmer’s situation. “He’s been feeling better this week. We used the first two weeks for him to recover and now, yes, it’s a little bit from the pubalgia he had [last season].

“We were cautious, and he was cautious as well — he wanted to be. He wouldn’t have played the way he wants to play, so it’s sometimes better to take a step back and wait until you feel better and do it the right way.

Cole Palmer is ‘fine’ after taking three weeks to rest during the international break, per Xabi Alonso

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“There is always a risk. With Morgan [Rogers joining up with England], there was a risk. Nothing happened. With Jamie [Gittens joining the England U21s], there was a risk. We’ve lost him for a few weeks. With Cole, it was the right decision.

“Last year, he struggled a lot with injuries. With the club as well. I was not here to remember the timings. I'm sure that he will be back [playing for England] in the future.”

Tuchel said during the international break that while Palmer’s issue was a genuine injury, the Chelsea man misses too many England camps. Palmer has only been available for four and played in three of Tuchel’s 26 matches in charge.

Asked whether Palmer had been concerned by Tuchel’s honest appraisal, Alonso replied: “No, no, I don't know. He's been focused on training. He wants to feel good.

“He's still young in his career. He has been there, and I'm sure when he feels good and is playing good, he will be back. That is Thomas's decision.”

Palmer, 24, has featured in all seven of Chelsea’s matches this season, scoring four goals.