According to a Football London report published on Saturday, July 4, 2026, England manager Thomas Tuchel’s decision to leave Cole Palmer out of the 2026 World Cup squad may ultimately benefit Chelsea despite disappointing the midfielder.
The omission has given Palmer his first uninterrupted summer in years, allowing him time to rest, recover and prepare for the new season after an inconsistent campaign in which Chelsea finished 10th.
Chelsea’s frustrations have instead centred on captain Reece James, who suffered a hamstring injury after playing the full 90 minutes in England’s opening two World Cup matches, leaving him in a race to regain fitness before the tournament ends.
The report noted that fatigue and minor injuries appeared to affect Palmer’s performances last season, making the extended break especially valuable. Recent training footage has shown the 24-year-old looking sharp, while he has assured supporters he intends to improve next season.
With Xabi Alonso set to begin his first campaign as Chelsea head coach, a fully rested Palmer is expected to play a key role during the club’s pre-season preparations in Australia and throughout the upcoming season.
