Chelsea duo Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill miss out on England World Cup squad
Chelsea duo Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill are set to be left out of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for this summer’s World Cup in the United States.
The highly anticipated travelling party will be officially confirmed by the national team manager on Friday, 22 May.
Both Blues players have endured difficult domestic campaigns hampered by severe fitness issues.
Injury setbacks halt Colwill’s progress
Colwill ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament during pre-season training last summer.
That devastating blow limited the promising 23-year-old to just three first-team appearances across the entire season.
The central defender did manage to complete the full 90 minutes during his club’s recent FA Cup final defeat against Manchester City.
However, he was subsequently rested for a midweek victory over Tottenham Hotspur as coaching staff carefully managed his returning workload.
Despite showing flashes of his immense potential since returning to the pitch, the five-cap international will not travel to North America.
Palmer struggles to replicate European heroics
Palmer has also suffered a frustrating year marred by persistent niggling injuries.
The attacking midfielder has managed a modest return of 13 goal contributions in 33 appearances across all competitions.
It is a stark contrast to his previous heroics, which included scoring a dramatic last-gasp equaliser in the final of the 2024 European Championship.
Morgan Rogers and Morgan Gibbs-White are now expected to be selected ahead of the 14-cap playmaker.
Wharton and United duo face exclusion
Beyond the Stamford Bridge pair, Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton is also anticipating a surprise omission despite enjoying a stellar domestic campaign.
These high-profile exclusions follow news that Manchester United defenders Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw will remain at home.
Reacting to the managerial decision, the veteran centre-back expressed his profound disappointment.
“Shocked and gutted.”
Harry Maguire
Tuchel must now finalise his defensive options, with Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah potentially stepping up after recently moving ahead of Maguire in the manager’s pecking order.
The Three Lions will face Croatia, Ghana, and Panama in the group stages of the expanded tournament.
Before their campaign officially begins, the national side will stage vital preparation friendlies in Florida.
- England vs New Zealand
- England vs Panama