Phil Foden has made six appearances under Thomas Tuchel
In football, fortunes can shift rapidly. The potential omissions of Cole Palmer and Phil Foden from England’s World Cup squad underscore this reality.
Just two years prior, the idea of excluding either player would have been considered improbable.
Foden was in the starting lineup for the Euro 2024 final defeat against Spain, while Palmer made a substitute appearance, scoring a goal and signaling himself as a key component of the Three Lions’ future.
These two players, who progressed through the Manchester City academy in consecutive years, were anticipated to be pivotal figures in the England squad heading to the United States in 2026.
Foden, an attacking midfielder elevated to stardom by Pep Guardiola, and Palmer, who sought opportunity at Chelsea to leave his mark.
Now, their paths converge again, but this time as players potentially left out of England’s World Cup squad.
Cole Palmer has scored 10 goals for Chelsea this season compared to 15 in 2024-25, excluding the Club World Cup
Palmer emerged as a fresh face in Gareth Southgate’s squad two years ago, notably making his first start in a pre-tournament friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
However, as Euro 2024 unfolded, Palmer’s presence on the bench was perceived by some as indicative of Southgate’s cautious approach.
Upon entering the game against Spain, Palmer equalized within three minutes, seemingly validating the criticisms of Southgate’s tactics.
At just 22 years old, Palmer was subsequently named England’s men’s player of the year and the PFA young player of the year, solidifying his status as a cornerstone of England’s future, destined for consistent tournament selection.
Foden, then 23, was expected to accompany him every step of the way, having secured the senior PFA award that year—a fitting coincidence that the pair collected their accolades at the Opera House in Manchester.
Yet, while talent may endure, current form is often fleeting, impacting both players’ chances for a World Cup berth.
Palmer scored 37 Premier League goals in his first two seasons at Chelsea.
His form experienced a downturn this season. Despite securing nine goals in 25 Premier League appearances, the spark and brilliance that once defined him seemed diminished.
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Foden’s form has declined just as significantly as Palmer’s, although over a more extended period.
A purple patch before Christmas saw him score six goals in five games, hinting at a resurgence, but he has since been unable to find the net.
This stands in stark contrast to his performance in 2023-24, where he amassed 19 Premier League goals and 27 across all competitions.
His backheel assist against Crystal Palace earlier this month was an outlier in what has otherwise been a series of underwhelming performances.
Given the fierce competition for places in the number 10 role, coach Thomas Tuchel could afford to prioritize current form over reputation.
A pivotal moment may have occurred in March, when Foden was presented with an opportunity to cement his place against Uruguay.
With Harry Kane absent, Foden was deployed in the role but failed to assert himself, drifting as a peripheral figure and dropping deep in search of possession.
The experiment proved unsuccessful, leading to Foden’s substitution 11 minutes into the second half, replaced, coincidentally, by Palmer.
In retrospect, this moment appears to have marked a turning point, where Tuchel may have finalized his decision regarding Foden’s inclusion.
Eberechi Eze has produced for Tuchel, scoring three goals in World Cup qualifying
With few exceptions, including perhaps John Stones of Manchester City, Tuchel has demonstrated a willingness to prioritize form over established reputation.
When standards decline, a host of players stand ready to seize the opportunity.
Tuchel was always set to include Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham, despite previous reservations expressed by the England coach.
Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, who scored the team’s third goal in their 3-0 Europa League victory over Freiburg, has enjoyed Tuchel’s trust throughout his tenure.
However, Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, who is joint top English scorer in the Premier League this season with 14 goals, has been unable to do enough to warrant a spot on the plane.
Gibbs-White has earned six England caps but has not featured since the 3-0 friendly win over Wales in October.
Notably, his only competitive appearances under Tuchel came in the two World Cup qualifiers against Andorra.
Despite scoring six goals in his past six club matches, it has not swayed the coach’s decision.
Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze appears to be the likely beneficiary, having delivered consistent performances even if the statistics do not fully reflect his impact.
Seven goals and two assists in the Gunners’ Premier League title-winning campaign may not seem remarkable, but he scored three goals in six World Cup qualifiers for Tuchel.
Eze’s absence from the March friendlies due to injury created an opening for Foden and Palmer to vie for a place in Tuchel’s plans.
England drew 1-1 with Uruguay and lost 1-0 to Japan, with both performances failing to inspire.
Consequently, Eze’s absence only reinforced his potential value to Tuchel, offering a different dimension to Bellingham and Rogers.
Eze is a player who has the potential to inject pace and unpredictability, changing the team’s dynamics.
At one point, Foden and Palmer were projected to be starters, surpassing even alternative options like Eze.
Now, they must confront the reality that their current form has rendered them, at least for the moment, not good enough for the squad.