Rogers hits out at 'nonsense' claims Palmer does not want England role

Morgan Rogers launched an impassioned defence of Cole Palmer, rubbishing "nonsense" claims that his Chelsea team-mate does not want to play for England.

Much has been made over Palmer's availability for his country, with the Chelsea star left out of Thomas Tuchel's squad for this year's World Cup, where England lost in the semi-finals to Argentina.

Tuchel made headlines in September when he said Palmer missed too many opportunities to impress, following his withdrawal from international duty with injury.

The England boss then claimed his omission this month was not "personal" and only down to "competition", but questions have still been raised over Palmer's commitment.

Rogers, who scored the opener in England's 2-1 win over Croatia on Thursday, took the post-match opportunity to defend his international and club team-mate, though.

"It's a lie. He wants to be here," Rogers told BBC Radio 5 Live when asked about Palmer. "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 those 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 nonsense, really, that people are questioning someone who 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.

"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."

Tuchel said in the build-up to the Croatia game that the "door was always open" for Palmer, who has six goal involvements for Chelsea in the Premier League this season.

He last appeared for England in the March internationals this year, playing twice against Uruguay and Japan in a pair of friendlies before the World Cup.

Rogers reiterated that Palmer is desperate to return to the national setup, with the added incentive to prove his worth amid ongoing questions over his international future under Tuchel.

"What a player he is. What a person he is, and he's someone you want to see in an England shirt," Rogers added. 

"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."