Declan Rice picks Chelsea’s Cole Palmer in his England five-a-side team over Phil Foden, ‘he’s just unbelievable’..

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Chelsea’s Cole Palmer must be so frustrated that he’s not with the England squad for the first camp under Thomas Tuchel.

England are currently preparing for two World Cup qualifiers during March’s international break, which are the first matches under Thomas Tuchel since he became the Three Lions manager.

The Chelsea trio of Cole Palmer, Reece James and Levi Colwill were named in England’s original 26-man squad. However, the former has had an interruption through injury.

The results of Palmer’s injury scan are all clear after he missed Chelsea’s Premier Legue defeat to Arsenal at the weekend. However, he’s due to have a second check as there’s still discomfort and he’s not joined up with England as a result.

• READ MORE: Ally McCoist explains the brilliant thing he’s noticed about Chelsea’s Cole Palmer in games

Declan Rice picks Cole Palmer in England five-a-side team

During a video on England’s official YouTube channel, Arsenal and Three Lions midfielder Declan Rice, 26, picked his current England five-a-side team.

Chelsea fans will like hearing there was a spot for attacking playmaker Palmer, even though he’s not with the England camp right now.

Rice said: “I’m going Rambo (Aaron Aamsdale) in goal because he’s my boy and he loves playing constantly. When he was at Arsenal, he used to come [play] five-a-side all the time. I’m going Dan Burn at the back because he’s so tall, he’s quick, he used to play futsal, and he’s good on the ball, so that’s good for five-a-side. Midfield, I’m going to go with Jude [Bellingham] because, box to box, he can defend and he can attack.

“My two up front. He’s not in the squad; he just pulled out, but I’m going to go with Cole Palmer and Harry Kane. [Kane] to be the goalscorer and Cole Palmer he’s just unbelievable to link everything up.”

Rice had the difficult task of leaving out some big stars from his side, including Manchester City ace Phil Foden.

Without a doubt, Tuchel is working with a talented group of players all hoping to end England’s long wait for a trophy.

Speaking earlier in the season, Tuchel praised Palmer for his impact at Chelsea. Even though his individual form has dipped lately, it’s a huge shame that he’s not in the mix for England right now.

Cole Palmer vs Phil Foden for England

A big debate at Euro 2024 was how could Gareth Southgate fit Bellingham, Foden and Palmer into the same England XI. In the end, the Chelsea man found himself down the pecking order, failing to start a single game at the tournament.

It feels like Bellingham’s spot in the England line-up is nailed-on moving forward because of what he’s doing at Real Madrid, but can left-footed creators Foden and Palmer play together.

Based off their respective international careers so far, there’s a strong argument to be made that Foden should step aside to allow Palmer his chance in the limelight.

With Palmer missing for England’s upcoming matches, the pressure should be on Foden to impress Tuchel and prove he can be integral to the national team. He’s got all the individual talent and pedigree, but it’s yet to translate on the international stage.

Back in December, Jamie Carragher’s message to Tuchel was to build England around Bellingham and Palmer.