Cole Palmer has insisted he is ‘not crying’ over Thomas Tuchel’s decision to axe him from England’s World Cup squad this summer – but says he won’t pay close attention to their progress.
The Chelsea star, 24, appeared to have carved out a long-term future with the national team after impressively bursting on to the scene at Stamford Bridge and scoring in England’s Euro 2024 final against Spain, but an unprecedented dip in form has seen him fall out of Tuchel’s plans completely.
The German’s decision to omit Palmer, as well as Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold and Manchester City star Phil Foden, came as a huge surprise to several fans and will remain a talking point if England continue to struggle in attacking areas as they did during their disappointing 0-0 draw against Ghana.
But Palmer, who has now been forced into taking a rare summer break, is eager to look at the positives.
‘I’m going to relax this summer, rest for the first time in three or four years, before getting back to what I love,’ he told i-D during an interview titled Cole Palmer, The Abnormally Normal One.
‘This season hasn’t been the best, but it is what it is. I’m not crying over a decision you can’t change, and I hope the lads make it all the way.’
Axed Cole Palmer says he will only watch England at the World Cup ‘if I’m not doing anything’
Palmer is pictured with his girlfriend Olivia Holder while on holiday in Ibiza this summer
Asked if he will watch England closely in the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer, he said: ‘If I’m not doing anything, then I’ll watch the matches, yeah.’
Palmer enjoyed a sensational debut season with Chelsea following his transfer from Manchester City in 2023, scoring 22 goals and assisting 11 in 33 Premier League appearances that campaign.
Rewarded with a Three Lions call-up by Gareth Southgate in the summer, Palmer played a key role off the bench for England en route to the final, where he scored a stunning equaliser as a substitute before Spain’s heartbreaking late winner.
The following 2024-25 season, while less emphatic, was still fruitful for Palmer as he took on the responsibility of being Chelsea’s new main man, contributing 15 goals and nine assists in the Premier League that term.
But last campaign saw Palmer’s form fall drastically below his usual standards, as he was forced to manage a string of frustrating injuries in his groin and later hamstring.
Playing in just 26 Premier League appearances, he managed only 10 goals and one assist as Chelsea endured a nightmare second half of the campaign, finishing 10th and falling entirely out of European football.
During his time away from the England camp this summer, Palmer has been busy holidaying and relaxing with his girlfriend Olivia Holder.
The Chelsea star was first spotted at Wayne Lineker’s O Beach Club in Ibiza days after the end of the Premier League season, posing up a storm with Gary’s party impresario brother.
Relaxing over the summer is proving a welcomed silver lining for Palmer after his England axe
Palmer then returned to the White Isle with another group for a second trip to Spain in mid-June, as his sister, influencer Hallie Jennifer Palmer, shared a picture of her brother travelling in modest circumstances, with the family opting to hop on a Jet2 flight to reach their destination.
He and Holder were pictured embracing in a swimming pool while basking in the Spanish sun.
For Palmer, escaping football’s rigorous and intense environment helps him to cool off, and spending more time with friends and family this summer has been a welcomed silver lining.
‘I don’t get too down,’ he added. ‘I just talk to my friends outside of football. They’re normal people, so it helps me feel normal, feel grounded.’
