Morgan Rogers has firmly rejected any speculation questioning the commitment of his Chelsea teammate Cole Palmer to the England squad, labeling such suggestions as both a “lie” and “nonsense.” His remarks followed England’s 2-1 victory over Croatia in the Uefa Nations League at Wembley, a match in which Rogers scored the opening goal and Harry Kane reached a record-breaking 126th appearance for the national side.
Palmer, 24, was notably absent from the current setup after head coach Thomas Tuchel remarked that the midfielder “misses too many chances to impress.” This follows his previous withdrawal from the September international camp due to a minor injury. Palmer had also missed out on a call-up for the World Cup, fueling public discourse regarding his availability.
Speaking to Radio 5 Live, Rogers—who is both a childhood friend and a Chelsea teammate of Palmer—emphasized that the forward remains deeply invested in representing his country. According to Rogers, Palmer experienced a difficult period last year due to physical setbacks that left him feeling less than 100% on the pitch. He maintained that Palmer’s decisions regarding his participation are rooted in a long-term approach to his career. According to forward Rogers, also 24, was asked about the criticism of Palmer following the win at Wembley, and, Radio 5 Live: “He wants to be here. So he wants to be here and he wants to be the best version of himself, he was in quite a low place with his injuries last year and didn’t feel 100% himself on the pitch.
“He wants to play for 10 or 15 years, so he has to manage himself,” Rogers explained. “If he has to manage his workload in the short term for the greater good, then that is necessary, and he deserves full support. It has nothing to do with whether he wants to play for England or not; it is genuinely a nonsense that people are questioning someone so clearly dedicated to the cause.”
Rogers concluded by pointing to Palmer’s evident passion for the sport, noting that the joy and enthusiasm the player shows on the field clearly illustrate his love for the game. He added that the criticism has been as confusing to Palmer as it has been to those close to him. How much he loves the game, so I honestly don’t get it and he doesn’t get it, you see the joy and smile on his face.
