How Palmer and Foden lost ruthless Tuchel's battle for number 10 roles

By Dale Johnson, Football issues correspondent

The fast-paced nature of football is exemplified by the unexpected exclusions of Cole Palmer and Phil Foden from England's World Cup squad.

Two years prior, it would have seemed improbable that either would be absent from such a prestigious lineup. Foden was a starter in the Euro 2024 final against Spain, while Palmer made a notable impact off the bench, scoring a vital goal that signaled hope for the future of the Three Lions.

Both players emerged from the Manchester City academy, emerging as prospects only a year apart, and were anticipated to be key figures in the England team's journey to the United States for the 2026 World Cup.

Foden, an attacking midfielder, garnered acclaim under Pep Guardiola's guidance, while Palmer transitioned to Chelsea seeking opportunities to shine. Now, however, they find their paths converging once more, but this time as omitted players from the World Cup squad.

From award winners to wilderness

Palmer made headlines two years ago as a promising newcomer to Gareth Southgate's squad, having only recently secured his first start in a pre-tournament friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

As Euro 2024 unfolded, Palmer's prolonged absence from the pitch became a point of contention, seen as reflective of Southgate's more cautious tactics. However, when he came off the bench against Spain, he swiftly equalized, providing ample justification for those critical of the England manager's decisions.

At the age of 22, Palmer received recognition as England's men's player of the year and the PFA young player of the year, solidifying his status as a crucial figure for England's foreseeable future.

Foden, then 23, shared in the accolades, having received the senior PFA award that same year, underscoring the promise both players held as they celebrated their achievements at the Opera House in Manchester.

Despite the notion that talent endures, the fluctuating nature of form has ultimately excluded both players from the World Cup.

During his first two seasons at Chelsea, Palmer recorded 37 Premier League goals. However, his performance this season has not matched previous heights. He managed nine goals in 25 appearances, yet lacked the sparkle and decisive moments that were once characteristic of his play.

Foden's chance gone after ineffectual Uruguay display

Foden's performance trajectory has experienced a similar downturn, albeit over a lengthier period.

He exhibited a brief resurgence by scoring six goals in five matches leading up to Christmas, signaling a promising return. However, he has failed to find the net since that period, a significant contrast to his remarkable 2023-24 season in which he netted 19 Premier League goals and 27 across all competitions.

His recent backheel assist against Crystal Palace was a rare highlight amidst otherwise lackluster performances.

Given the fierce competition for the number 10 position, coach Thomas Tuchel was compelled to evaluate players based on current form rather than reputation.

A pivotal moment occurred in March when Foden was tasked with making an impression against Uruguay in the absence of Harry Kane. Positioned in the number 10 role, Foden struggled to make an impact and spent much of the match as a peripheral figure. His substitution just 11 minutes into the second half, replaced by Palmer, signified a decisive moment in Tuchel's judgment of Foden.

In retrospect, this moment appears to have sealed Foden's fate.

Rogers and Eze earn places on performances for Tuchel

Aside from a few exceptions, such as John Stones from Manchester City, Tuchel has consistently prioritized current performance over established reputations.

Any decline in standards opens the door for other players eager to capitalize on the opportunity.

Tuchel was always inclined to select Jude Bellingham from Real Madrid, even amidst prior reservations expressed by the England coach regarding the player.

Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa, who played a crucial role in their 3-0 Europa League victory over Freiburg, has received Tuchel's trust throughout his tenure.

Conversely, despite being the joint top English scorer in the Premier League this season with 14 goals, Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White did not garner selection. Having won six caps for England, Gibbs-White has not featured since an October friendly against Wales, and his only competitive minutes under Tuchel came during two World Cup qualifiers against lower-ranked Andorra.

Even after scoring six goals in his last six matches, Gibbs-White's form failed to sway Tuchel's decisions.

The standout success story appears to be Arsenal's Eberechi Eze, whose on-field consistency has suggested value beyond mere statistical measures. His seven goals and two assists during Arsenal's title-winning campaign, while modest, were complemented by his contributions of three goals in six World Cup qualifiers for Tuchel.

Analyzing Eze's injury-related absence during the March friendlies has underscored the potential impact he could offer to the squad, especially given Foden and Palmer's inability to leverage their opportunities during disappointing performances—a 1-1 draw with Uruguay and a 1-0 loss to Japan.

Eze possesses the ability to inject pace and unpredictability into the team's play.

Once regarded as likely starters, Foden and Palmer now face the reality of being sidelined, deemed unfit for selection on the basis of their current form.