Palmer has won five caps since scoring against Spain in the Euro 2024 final<\/a> but his latest withdrawal was for genuine reasons. Palmer struggled with persistent groin pain last season, which led to him missing out on a place in Tuchel\u2019s World Cup squad, and felt minor irritation before Chelsea\u2019s defeat by Brentford<\/a> last month. It still needs careful management, and Alonso is adamant Chelsea\u2019s talisman is intent on playing for England.<\/p>\n \u201cThe most important thing for Cole is to be fully fit, that he enjoys his game, that he is feeling OK,\u201d Chelsea\u2019s manager said. \u201cWhenever he is not, like in the Brentford game, we could see that he was struggling. He\u2019s committed but he needs to be fully fit to play. We need him \u2013 the club and the national team.\u201d<\/p>\n The recent issue is nowhere as near as bad as when Palmer struggled to shoot properly last season. Resting during the extended break has helped. \u201cNow he\u2019s fine,\u201d Alonso said. \u201cHe\u2019s been feeling better this week. We use the first two weeks for him to recover. It\u2019s a little bit from the pubalgia he had.\u201d<\/p>\n Tuchel has plenty of competition in attacking midfield and it remains to be seen whether he picks Palmer for next month\u2019s games against Croatia and Spain. Alonso was asked whether a player can be considered truly world class if they do not play international football. \u201cThings happen naturally,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen you show for your club that you are a top-level player and you have regularity, normally it is the natural way that you are part of the national team.\u201d<\/p>\n Alonso was nonplussed to hear about the broadcaster Piers Morgan calling Palmer a bottle job for failing to represent England. \u201cI don\u2019t know the comment and I don\u2019t know the guy,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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