Cole Palmer stares towards Thomas Tuchel after being substitutedImage source, Getty Images
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Cole Palmer last represented England in March

ByPhil McNultyChief football writer

Thomas Tuchel's brutal assessment of Cole Palmer's exclusion from England's latest squad made it crystal clear Chelsea's gifted playmaker faces a fight to save his international career under the German head coach.

"He misses too many opportunities to impress" was Tuchel's blunt explanation for Palmer's absence, after the 24-year-old withdrew the previous England camp citing a minor injury.