‘It’s a lie’ – Rogers defends Palmer over England commitment

Morgan Rogers has strongly defended Cole Palmer and insisted it is “a lie” to suggest the Chelsea attacker does not want to play for England.

Palmer was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s latest squad having missed previous squads through injury, with the England boss admitting he has “missed too many opportunities to impress”.

But Rogers, who has known Palmer since they were teenagers together at Manchester City and is now his team-mate at Chelsea, says there should be no doubt over his commitment to the national team.

“It’s a lie. He wants to be here,” Rogers told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“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 them injuries ever since.

“He was in quite a low place with his injuries last year and didn’t feel 100 per cent himself on the pitch, so he wants to be here and he wants to be the best version of himself.”

Rogers added that Palmer has to manage his body with the bigger picture in mind.

“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,” he said.

“It has nothing to do with England or not wanting to play with England. It’s a nonsense really that people are questioning someone that wants to play for England.”

Asked if he wants to see Palmer back in the England side, Rogers replied: “Of course I do. What a player he is.

“He’s got so much quality, so much ability. Hopefully sooner rather than later.”

Tuchel was later asked about Rogers’ comments and said: “It is totally fine. It is his teammate and I guess his friend, so why wouldn’t he make an emotional statement?

“All I can say is, I am very happy with the emotional commitment from Morgan and the physical commitment of Morgan Rogers.”