Xabi Alonso reacts to Cole Palmer's surprise omission from England squad

Xabi Alonso backed Cole Palmer after the Chelsea attacker was omitted from Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the November Nations League window.

Cole Palmer was left out of Thomas Tuchel's latest England squad, with the manager citing concerns that Palmer "misses too many opportunities to impress". Palmer has not played for England since March and withdrew from the October international break, prompting Tuchel's earlier criticism that he had missed "too many camps with injuries".

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso expressed his support for the 24-year-old ahead of the Blues' trip to Sunderland. "We are very happy with Cole," Alonso said. "I think he is enjoying his game, he is connecting very well with the other attackers." Palmer has made a strong start to the season, starting all nine of Chelsea's Premier League games and registering five goals and three assists across 11 games in all competitions.

Alonso said he had not discussed Palmer's England omission with the player, preferring to focus on Chelsea's objectives. Tuchel indicated he had sufficient attacking options for the Nations League fixtures, with Morgan Gibbs-White, Eberechi Eze, Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers selected, alongside Josh King and Jobe Bellingham called up for the first time.