‘He’s got the hump with Tuchel’ – Chelsea and England star accused of faking injury

Former Wales defender James Collins has accused Cole Palmer of feigning injury after the Chelsea star pulled out of England’s squad for the side’s upcoming Nations League matches.

Thomas Tuchel recalled Palmer to his latest 27-man party after controversially leaving the attacking midfielder out of his squad for this year’s World Cup.

Palmer has enjoyed an encouraging start to the new season after a deeply frustrating campaign last term, featuring in all seven of Chelsea’s matches while registering four goals and two assists.

But five days out from England’s opening clash with Spain, it was announced that Palmer was one of five players to withdraw from Tuchel’s squad, along with Kobbie Mainoo, Marcus Rashford, Declan Rice and Tino Livramento.

Everton’s James Garner and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White have been called up to England’s camp as cover, with the Three Lions also facing the Czech Republic (home and away) and Croatia over the next two-and-a-half weeks.

Palmer was struck down by a persistent groin injury for large parts of last season, which meant he was only able to start 24 of Chelsea’s 38 games across the club’s Premier League campaign.

His latest injury setback is being described as a ‘minor muscular issue’ but when addressing the news on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, ex-West Ham centre-back Collins sounded rather sceptical.

The former Wales international theorised that Palmer had asked Chelsea to come up with an excuse as he has the ‘hump’ with Tuchel in the wake of his World Cup snub.

‘I would say he’s got the hump,’ Collins said.

‘He’s got the hump that he didn’t go to the World Cup and he’s pulled out. Listen, that’s my opinion.

‘I don’t know the lad but honestly, from an ex-player, player point of view, for me, he’s got the hump.

‘It sounds to me as an ex-player that he’s gone to the fitness coach and gone, “Really? Don’t fancy it… say something, load management”.

‘Listen, it might not be but I’ve played the game.’

Sam Allardyce, featuring as Natalie Pike’s other guest on the podcast, echoed Collins’ skepticism following Palmer’s withdrawal from England’s squad.

The former England and Bolton manager also suggested Palmer should start ‘looking after himself better’ if he wishes to enjoy a long and successful playing career.

‘He’s had the summer off!’ Allardyce said of Palmer’s withdrawal.

‘Right now, I would say that this is such a talented player that all of a sudden it’s a career point where he decides how long he wants to stay in the game.

‘I would say it’s time he changed… and I might be completely wrong because I don’t know… and started looking after himself better.’

Allardyce did, though, underline just how much he enjoys watching Palmer strut his stuff when he’s fit and firing for club and country.

‘He does it with so much ease, he makes me jealous,’ the 71-year-old added.

‘I wish I could look that cultured, that skillful on the ball. He floats past players and it looks like he’s not really running.’

England kick off their Nations League campaign against Spain at Wembley in five days’ time.

The Three Lions then travel to Prague to take on the Czech Republic next Tuesday before locking horns with Croatia in Rijeka on October 3.

Harry Kane and Co conclude the international break by returning to Wembley to play host to the Czech Republic on October 6.

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