How Palmer and Foden Fell Out of Tuchel's Number 10 Plans

Two years ago, it would have seemed impossible that Cole Palmer and Phil Foden could be left out of England’s World Cup squad. Both were seen as future pillars of the Three Lions, but Thomas Tuchel has now made ruthless decisions based on form, not reputation.

Palmer and Foden were once viewed as the obvious heirs to England’s attacking midfield roles. Foden started the Euro 2024 final against Spain, while Palmer came off the bench and scored, reinforcing the sense that both men would be central to England’s next tournament cycle. They had also come through Manchester City’s academy together, with Foden becoming a star under Pep Guardiola and Palmer leaving for Chelsea to make his own name.

That picture has changed sharply. Palmer burst into the spotlight at Chelsea, scoring 37 Premier League goals across his first two seasons, but his output dipped this campaign. He still managed nine league goals in 25 appearances, yet the sharpness and sparkle that defined his rise were less consistent. In a squad selection battle this tight, that drop in influence has mattered.

Foden’s decline has been more prolonged. He hit a rich run of form before Christmas, scoring six times in five matches, but his impact faded after that. His 2023-24 numbers, when he scored 19 Premier League goals and 27 in all competitions, now feel distant. A backheel assist against Crystal Palace was one of the few reminders of the player he can be.

The decisive moment may have come in March, when Tuchel used Foden in the number 10 role against Uruguay with Harry Kane absent. Foden struggled to influence the game, drifting into deeper positions and failing to impose himself. Tuchel substituted him early in the second half and brought on Palmer instead, but by then the impression had already been made.

Tuchel has shown throughout his tenure that reputation alone will not secure a place. Jude Bellingham was always likely to be selected, while Morgan Rogers has earned trust through his performances. Eberechi Eze also appears to have done enough, especially with his strong showings in World Cup qualifiers and his ability to offer something different in the final third. By contrast, Morgan Gibbs-White’s late-season scoring run was not enough to change the picture.

That leaves Palmer and Foden paying the price for a squad selection process built on current levels rather than past status. There was a time when both seemed certain to be at the heart of England’s future. Now they are examples of how quickly the game can move on, even for elite talent. Tuchel’s message is clear: form and fit matter more than reputation, and no player is guaranteed a seat on the plane.