‘So much quality’ – Morgan Rogers urges Thomas Tuchel to recall Chelsea teammate after Croatia win

England midfielder Morgan Rogers (Picture: Getty) Morgan Rogers issued a stern defence of Cole Palmer’s committment to the England squad and urged Thomas Tuchel to recall his Chelsea teammate to the national side.

Rogers was on the scoresheet on Thursday evening as England booked their spot in the Nations League quarter-finals with a 2-1 win over Croatia.

The 24-year-old is the only Chelsea player in England’s squad for this international break, with Reece James injured and Palmer not selected by Tuchel after he pulled out of the previous camp due to injury concerns.

Speaking last week, the German suggested that Palmer ‘misses too many opportunities’ to play for his country but has insisted that his latest exclusion was ‘not personal’.

Rogers, though, would like to see his close friend back in the national team set-up and said accusiations that Palmer does not want to play for his country were a ‘lie’.

Read exclusive analysis of the biggest stories in football with Metro’s weekly football newsletter In The Mixer. Sign up now for free.

‘He wants to be here,’ Rogers told BBC Radio 5 Live. ‘He wanted to get called up and he wanted to come and represent his country as he always has done. People just see it as news and say the easy thing.

‘We all know he had a difficult year last year with injuries and I know personally he’s been managing them injuries ever since.

‘He was in quite a low place with his injuries last year and didn’t feel 100% himself on the pitch, so he wants to be here and he wants to be the best version of himself. Of course he does, who wouldn’t?

‘But he also has to look at his body. He wants to play for 10/15 years, he also has to manage himself. If he has to manage himself in the short term for the greater good then he has to do that and you have to fully support it.

‘It has nothing to do with England or not wanting to play with England. It’s a nonsense really that people are questioning someone that wants to play for England.

‘You see the joy and smile on his face, how much he loves the game, so I honestly don’t get it and he doesn’t get it. But it’s something he has to deal with but I can assure you he wants to be here and he wants to play for his country.’

Asked if he thinks Palmer should be back in the England set-up for the next camp, Rogers continued: ‘Of course I do. What a player he is. What a person he is and it’s someone you want to see in an England shirt.

‘He’s got so much quality, so much ability. We all know what we can do, what he’s done, so of course we want to see him in an England shirt and hopefully sooner rather than later.’

When asked about Rogers’ comments in his post-match press conference, Tuchel said: ‘It’s totally fine. It’s his teammate and his friend so why wouldn’t he make an emotional statement?

‘If he did it, I didn’t hear it so I will not comment on it. All I can say is I was very happy with the emotional and physical commitment of Morgan Rogers – I think he was a standout player today, offensively and defensively and that’s what matters.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Arrow MORE: Michael Carrick urged Manchester United to sign Chelsea star on his four-player shortlist

Arrow MORE: Man Utd interested in £75m Chelsea star ahead of January transfer window

Arrow MORE: Mauricio Pochettino tipped to sign Real Madrid defender for Manchester United

Sign up to our daily football newsletter, pick your team and get the latest news sent directly to your inbox every morning.

Select your team for football news tailored to you Close

Sign up to our daily football newsletter, pick your team and get the latest news sent directly to your inbox every morning.

Select your team for football news tailored to you Close