The question hanging over Thomas Tuchel this week is not whether Cole Palmer deserves a recall for the November internationals. It is whether anything about Palmer’s England record would actually change if he got one.

The 24-year-old is in the best form he has shown in a year. Under new Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso he has started consistently and chipped in with goals and assists, including the opener against Manchester United on 31 October. For the first time since early last season, he looks fully fit.

What that has not solved is the gap between those club minutes and anything Tuchel has seen up close.

The September withdrawal that sharpened it

Palmer was called up for the September Nations League opener against Spain, then withdrew from the squad with discomfort in the groin. Tuchel did not disguise his frustration when he spoke to Sky Sports.

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“He misses way too many camps with injuries,” the head coach said.

Asked whether Palmer looked desperate to play for England, Tuchel went a step further.

“It’s hard to argue against what you’re saying.”

Alonso points to fitness, not attitude

Palmer’s club manager has pushed back on the characterisation. Alonso told reporters in October that the forward’s availability problem was physical, not about attitude.

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“He’s committed, but he needs to be fully fit to play. When he’s fully fit he will enjoy his minutes, and we need him in that moment for the club and the national team.”

The queue at number 10

Even with Palmer back fit, the competition in behind Harry Kane has moved on without him. Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze were all taken to the World Cup in the summer. Palmer and Phil Foden were among the headline omissions, with Tuchel pointing to Chelsea form, injury setbacks and the depth of alternatives.

Since then the three who travelled have stayed inside Tuchel’s thinking. Palmer, who did not, has not started an England camp since March, and the three appearances he has made under this coach are still without a goal or an assist.

Friday’s squad announcement

Tuchel names his squad on Friday for Croatia at Wembley on 12 November and Spain away in Madrid three days later. Palmer’s Chelsea minutes argue he should be in it; his England record under Tuchel is the reason there is still a debate.

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