BBC Sport
How Palmer and Foden lost ruthless Tuchel's battle for number 10 roles
By Dale Johnson, Football issues correspondent
Time can move very fast in football. The exclusion of Cole Palmer and Phil Foden from England's World Cup squad exemplifies this truth.
Two years ago, it would have seemed inconceivable that either could be omitted. Foden played in the Euro 2024 final against Spain, while Palmer made a significant impact off the bench by scoring, representing a bright future for the Three Lions.
Both players emerged through the Manchester City academy, albeit a year apart, and were anticipated to play pivotal roles for England in their 2026 World Cup campaign in the United States.
Foden, an attacking midfielder who rose to prominence under Pep Guardiola, and Palmer, who transitioned to Chelsea from Manchester City to make his mark, now find their trajectories intersecting once more — this time as omissions from the World Cup squad.
From award winners to wilderness
Palmer burst onto the scene as a promising addition to Gareth Southgate's squad two years ago, having only made his first senior start in a pre-tournament friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
During Euro 2024, Palmer's frequent placement on the bench was often interpreted as a symptom of Southgate's conservative strategy. However, when he came on against Spain and equalized within three minutes, it validated those who criticized the coach's choices.
At just 22, Palmer earned accolades such as England's men's player of the year and the PFA young player of the year, establishing himself as a likely fixture for future England squads.
Foden, then 23, was expected to accompany him on this journey. He was the recipient of the senior PFA award that year, marking a well-deserved recognition for both players as they celebrated their achievements together at the Opera House in Manchester.
Nevertheless, while skill may be everlasting, form can be transient, which has ultimately led to both players' absences from the World Cup.
Palmer netted 37 Premier League goals in his first two seasons with Chelsea. However, his performance has noticeably waned this season; although he managed nine goals in 25 Premier League appearances, the dynamism and flair that once characterized his playing style have diminished.
Foden's chance gone after ineffectual Uruguay display
Similar to Palmer, Foden's form has faltered, though it has been a more prolonged decline.
He experienced a brief resurgence with six goals in five games just before Christmas, indicating potential revitalization. However, since then, he has failed to find the net.
This has been a stark contrast to his impressive 2023-24 season, where he scored 19 goals in the Premier League and 27 in total across all competitions.
His recent backheel assist against Crystal Palace was an exception in a series of unexceptional performances.
Given the intense competition for positions in the number 10 role, Thomas Tuchel's selection decisions were heavily influenced by current form rather than past reputation.
A pivotal moment occurred in March when Foden was presented with the opportunity to assert himself against Uruguay. With Harry Kane sidelined, Foden occupied the role but struggled to make an impact, often appearing disengaged and retreating to deeper positions to collect the ball.
This experiment proved unsuccessful, culminating in his substitution just 11 minutes into the second half, with Palmer coming on in his place.
In hindsight, this moment appears to have solidified Tuchel's decision regarding Foden's future prospects.
Rogers and Eze earn places on performances for Tuchel
Aside from a few exceptions, notably John Stones of Manchester City, Tuchel has demonstrated a clear preference for form over reputation in his squad selections. When standards drop, a lineup of players is ready to seize the opportunity.
Tuchel was always inclined to select Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham, even amid previous doubts expressed by the England coach.
Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers has consistently earned Tuchel's trust throughout his time at the club.
In contrast, Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White, currently among the joint top English scorers in the Premier League with 14 goals, has not done enough to secure a place in the squad. Though Gibbs-White has accumulated six England caps, he has not featured since the 3-0 friendly victory over Wales in October.
It is noteworthy that his only competitive appearances under Tuchel occurred during two World Cup qualifiers against lesser opponents like Andorra.
Despite his recent form, scoring six goals in his last six club matches, Tuchel's stance has remained unchanged.
Emerging as a frontrunner is Arsenal's Eberechi Eze, who has consistently delivered solid performances, even if his statistics may not fully reflect his impact. Although seven goals and two assists during Arsenal's Premier League title-winning campaign may seem modest, Eze managed to score three goals in six World Cup qualifiers under Tuchel.
Eze missed the March friendlies due to injury, which presented an opening for Foden and Palmer to assert their claims for a spot in Tuchel's plans.
The England team drew 1-1 with Uruguay and suffered a 1-0 defeat against Japan, both performances lacking in inspiration.
Consequently, Eze's absence only underscored his potential value to Tuchel, offering a dynamic alternative to the likes of Bellingham and Rogers.
At one point, Foden and Palmer were anticipated to be key starters; now, they must confront the reality of their exclusion, marked by an unfortunate lack of form that has deemed them unfit for selection.
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