Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said Friday he is 'very happy with [Cole Palmer’s] quality and his attitude and his impact on the rest of the team' — reaffirming his support for the 24-year-old midfielder after Palmer was left out of England’s Nations League squad.
Palmer, a Chelsea midfielder, did not make Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man roster for England’s upcoming matches against Croatia and Spain. He had previously withdrawn from England’s October international squad. Tuchel said Friday that Palmer “misses too many opportunities” to earn national team selection.
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Palmer was not selected for England’s summer World Cup. His prior season included injuries and inconsistent play. He started both of Chelsea’s Premier League matches before and after the October international break.
When asked about Palmer’s withdrawal from the October squad, Alonso said: “We haven’t talked about that.” He added that Chelsea’s focus remains on improving week to week and increasing Palmer’s influence in matches.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez is ahead of schedule in his recovery from jaw surgery and could be available for Saturday’s match at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light — though Alonso said the final decision will come after Saturday’s training session. Martínez will wear a custom protective facial mask if he plays.
Midfielder Moisés Caicedo will take a fitness test before Saturday’s match. Alonso described the issue as “a little problem” and “a discomfort more than the calf,” clarifying it is not a recurrence of Caicedo’s recent calf injury.
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