England head coach Thomas Tuchel says "the door is always open" after recalling Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer to his first squad since the World Cup - but has warned players they have to "perform". Tuchel controversially left Real Madrid right-back Alexander-Arnold and Chelsea forward Palmer out of his squad for the summer tournament in North America. Both return for four Nations League games during an extended international break after this weekend's club fixtures.
Alexander-Arnold, 27, won the most recent of his 34 England caps when he came on as a substitute in a 1-0 win against Andorra in June 2025. He has made five appearances, including three starts, for Real Madrid so far this season, registering one assist. Palmer, 24, last played for England in a 1-0 friendly defeat by Japan in March.
He has scored four goals and provided two assists in six games this season. "They had a good start to the season," who has again omitted Manchester City's Phil Foden. "They never did something wrong.
We just chose different players. "So now it is a new competition. Some players, some positions, have more injuries.
Cole has his starts that he always had but he has his numbers back - he has his assists back, he has decisive goals back - so that is why he is in the squad. "I think he has a point to prove, and the same goes for Trent. He was never off the list.
He was never non-selectable for us, and it is his chance to show, come to camp and be the best version of himself." Alexander-Arnold played in midfield in Real's Champions League win over Inter Milan earlier this month, but Tuchel said he had picked the former Liverpool player as a full-back. "He had a good start in two positions for Real Madrid and he comes as a right-back for us," he said. On his trust in Alexander Arnold, Tuchel said: "[He needs to] perform, that's just what it is.
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