Can Cole Palmer force his way into England's World Cup squad?

Chelsea forward Cole Palmer is at the center of England's World Cup selection talk as the final squad begins to take shape. His latest Chelsea moment of quality has revived discussions about whether he can force his way into Gareth Southgate's plans, even as Tuchel weighs his own midfield options.

Palmer produced a moment of quality that drew attention in Chelsea's 2-0 win over Everton, a display that helped him earn a place among FIFA's Best XI selections announced this week. The goal came from a precise touch and a clever finish that left the goalkeeper beaten.

For England, Palmer's international playing time has been limited. He has featured for about 64 minutes in World Cup qualifiers and has spent most of this season dealing with a groin issue, restricting him to a handful of Premier League starts and around 290 minutes in total. That fitness dip has given Tuchel more flexibility in how he deploys attacking kick options.

Despite the setback, Palmer's potential remains clear. In a recent FIFA Best XI vote, England captain Harry Kane topped the list, with Palmer and France’s Ousmane Dembele following, highlighting the level of expectation on Palmer to translate club form to international duties.

Palmer offers England a different kind of spark, but his World Cup chances depend on more than one good moment. The No. 10 role is particularly competitive, with players such as Phil Foden, Morgan Rogers, Eberechi Eze, and Morgan Gibbs-White in the mix alongside Kane's senior leadership. Tuchel has signaled he won't carry an overload of No. 10s, preferring a balanced approach that fits the team’s system.

He needs a couple of things to go his way

If Palmer regains full fitness and recaptures his sharpness, he could re-enter Tuchel's thinking as a creator and goal threat. Across 76 Chelsea appearances, he has produced 39 goals and 19 assists, underscoring his capability when fit. This season, however, his Premier League minutes have been limited to around 290, meaning he has to string together consistent performances to earn a call-up.

Palmer's temperament shone at Euro 2024, where he scored a memorable equaliser in the final and helped set up a late winner in the semi-final. Yet in the international arena, competition has intensified, with Morgan Rogers impressing for Villa and others pushing for a role in attack.

Tuchel has stressed that a squad heavy with similar No. 10s would not benefit the team, emphasizing the need for balance. With Palmer possibly needing a late-season return to peak form, England’s March friendlies against Uruguay and Japan could be decisive in determining the final World Cup lineup.

Expert view

Analysts say Palmer’s path remains possible if he regains peak fitness and maintains consistent form through the spring. They caution that time is limited and Tuchel will reward ongoing, tangible performance over past reputation.

Short summary

Palmer’s World Cup hopes hinge on staying fit and delivering continuous performances for Chelsea. He faces strong competition from several attackers and must prove his impact in a run of games before the final March friendlies. If he can hit top form in the second half of the season, he could still earn a place in England's squad.

Key insight: Palmer’s World Cup chances rely on a late-season surge in form and staying fit amid a crowded attacking group. Source: BBC Sport.

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