How Palmer and Foden Lost Thomas Tuchel's Number 10 Battle

By Dale Johnson, Football issues correspondent

In the realm of football, time can be remarkably swift. The exclusion of Cole Palmer and Phil Foden from England's World Cup squad is a testament to this reality.

Just two years prior, it seemed inconceivable that these two talented players might miss out.

Foden was a starter in the Euro 2024 final loss to Spain, while Palmer made a pivotal appearance off the bench, scoring a crucial goal and embodying the future promise of the Three Lions.

Both players, having emerged from the Manchester City academy—albeit a year apart—were expected to be integral to the England squad heading to the United States for the 2026 tournament. Foden, an attacking midfielder transformed into a star under Pep Guardiola, and Palmer, who transitioned from the Etihad Stadium to Chelsea to showcase his abilities, now find themselves on parallel paths once again, but this time as omitted players from the World Cup squad.

From Award Winners to Wilderness

At just 22, Palmer had been the fresh face in Gareth Southgate's squad two years ago, having recently made his first start in a pre-tournament friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

However, during Euro 2024, Palmer spent much of his time on the bench, which many viewed as a reflection of Southgate's cautious tactics. When he did come on against Spain, his quick equalizer within three minutes served as a moment of vindication for Southgate's critics.

Palmer not only established himself on the international stage, but also earned accolades such as England's men's player of the year and the PFA young player of the year, solidifying his status as a future cornerstone of the national team.

Foden, at age 23, was poised to accompany him on this journey. Emerging as the senior PFA award winner that year, it was fitting that they celebrated their achievements at the Opera House in Manchester.

Yet, while talent remains, form is transient, and this inconsistency has cost both players their World Cup spots.

Though Palmer netted 37 Premier League goals across his first two seasons at Chelsea, his form took a downturn this season. While he managed to score nine goals in 25 league appearances, he lacked the flair and brilliance that had previously defined his performance.

Foden's Chance Gone After Ineffectual Uruguay Display

Foden's struggles have mirrored Palmer's, albeit over a longer span.

He experienced a commendable streak, scoring six goals in five games just before Christmas, signaling a potential return to form. However, he has yet to find the back of the net since then.

This decline contrasts sharply with the previous 2023-24 season, during which he amassed 19 Premier League goals and 27 across all competitions.

His notable backheel assist against Crystal Palace earlier this month stood out as an exception in otherwise inconsistent performances.

Given the fierce competition for the number 10 role, Thomas Tuchel was left to make selections based on current form rather than past reputation.

A pivotal moment came in March when Foden was given the opportunity to assert himself against Uruguay due to Harry Kane's absence. However, his performance was underwhelming—he remained a peripheral presence, frequently dropping deep in pursuit of the ball.

This experiment was deemed a failure, culminating in Foden being substituted just 11 minutes into the second half, coincidentally for Palmer.

In hindsight, this appears to be the moment when Foden's opportunity slipped away and Tuchel solidified his decision.

Rogers and Eze Earn Places on Performances for Tuchel

Aside from a few exceptions, including fellow Manchester City player John Stones, Tuchel has consistently prioritized form over reputation in his selections.

When standards dip, there is a queue of players ready to seize their opportunity.

Tuchel was always inclined to include Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham, despite previous reservations expressed by the England coach.

Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers, who contributed to Villa's 3-0 Europa League victory over Freiburg, has received Tuchel's trust throughout his time at the helm.

Conversely, Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, currently the joint top English scorer in the Premier League with 14 goals, has not done enough to secure his place on the squad.

Although Gibbs-White has earned six England caps, he last featured in the 3-0 friendly win against Wales in October, with his only competitive appearances under Tuchel limited to two World Cup qualifiers against Andorra.

Despite scoring six goals in his last six club outings, this has not swayed the coach's judgment.

In contrast, Arsenal's Eberechi Eze is emerging as a frontrunner, having consistently demonstrated his skill on the ball, though the statistics may not fully reflect his contribution.

With seven goals and two assists in Arsenal's Premier League title-winning season, coupled with three goals in six World Cup qualifiers under Tuchel, Eze's presence has proven critical.

His injury during the March friendlies inadvertently opened the door for Foden and Palmer to assert their places within Tuchel's framework.

With England drawing 1-1 against Uruguay and suffering a 1-0 defeat to Japan, both performances were lackluster.

Eze's absence only reinforced his potential to provide a dynamic alternative alongside Bellingham and Rogers.

At one time, Palmer and Foden were anticipated to be starters; they now must confront the reality that, based on current form, they are not regarded as suitable for the national squad.