Rogers rejects claims Palmer is not committed to England

Morgan Rogers has rejected suggestions that Chelsea team-mate Cole Palmer is not committed to England, calling them “a lie” and “nonsense” after England’s 2-1 Nations League win over Croatia on Wednesday.

Rogers, who scored England’s opening goal, said Palmer wanted to be called up and represent his country. He told BBC Radio 5 Live that Palmer had been in a low place while dealing with injuries last year and did not feel fully himself on the pitch.

“He wants to play for 10 or 15 years, he also has to manage himself,” Rogers said. “If he has to manage himself in the short term for the greater good then he has to do that and you have to fully support it.”

Palmer, 24, was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s latest squad after withdrawing from the previous camp in September with a minor injury. He also missed the World Cup. Tuchel said this week that Palmer “misses too many opportunities to impress”, but added that the decision was not personal and that Palmer remained in England’s thinking.

Palmer has won 14 England caps, scoring twice. He has featured in three of Tuchel’s 27 matches as manager, according to the BBC. Rogers, also 24, is Palmer’s Chelsea team-mate and childhood friend.