Morgan Rogers has had the best of Chelsea’s international break so far, and he spent part of Thursday night defending Cole Palmer. Rogers scored England’s opener in the 2-1 win over Croatia, then told BBC Radio 5 Live that any suggestion Palmer isn’t committed to England is “a lie” and “nonsense”. Malo Gusto started for France as they lost for the first time under Zinedine Zidane, and Romeo Lavia wasn’t in Belgium’s matchday squad at all. No new injury to a Chelsea player on international duty turned up in the match reports and squad pages opened, which is the main thing Alonso needs before Leeds at home on 21 November.

Rogers scores, and says what Palmer can’t

Rogers’ goal came on 24 minutes. Harry Kane dropped deep and chipped a pass to Jude Bellingham, who cut the ball back for Rogers to bundle in from close range. It was his third goal for England at senior level. BBC Sport’s player ratings gave him a 6 and said he deserved his goal after posing a threat down the right. He was not among the substitutions when Rio Ngumoha and Ben White came on in the 78th minute, with Garner also introduced late. He worked well with Trent Alexander-Arnold on that side, and that’s a combination Tuchel can use again on Sunday.

The Palmer comments are the bigger story for Chelsea. Tuchel left Palmer out, saying he “misses too many opportunities to impress”. Palmer was also not called up for the World Cup and withdrew from the September camp with a minor injury. Rogers, 24 like Palmer and a childhood friend, said Palmer “wants to be here” and that managing his body now is for “the greater good”. He added that Palmer “was in quite a low place with his injuries last year”. Standing up for a friend is the right instinct, but Rogers’ goal and his work down the right do more for the selection argument than any quote.

Gusto on the wrong end of a San Siro first

Gusto started for France at the San Siro and was replaced by Kumbedi in the 76th minute. France went ahead through Olise after 10 minutes, when Donnarumma passed the ball straight to him, but Italy hit back through Pio Esposito, Frattesi and a second from Esposito from the spot. It is Italy’s first home win over France since 1962 and Zidane’s first defeat since replacing Didier Deschamps. Chelsea team-mate Marco Palestra sat on the Italy bench and never got on.

Belgium without Lavia

Belgium won 2-1 in Izmir through De Bruyne and De Ketelaere, who scored three minutes apart in the first half after Güler had put Turkey ahead. Penders was on the bench. Lavia isn’t listed in the matchday squad, on the bench or otherwise. Chelsea’s own call-up page named him for the two Nations League games, and no reason has been given in the sources opened, so treat it as a question rather than a fitness problem. Belgium host Italy on Sunday at 7.45pm UK time.

What it means for Chelsea

Official Fantasy Premier League data shows João Pedro (thigh), Lacroix (hamstring), James (knee) and Hato (unspecified) with a 0% chance of playing and no return dates, and Emiliano Martinez on 75% after a head injury. Chelsea were beaten 1-0 at Sunderland on 8 November, Sunderland’s first league win since August, and the first game back is Leeds at Stamford Bridge on Saturday 21 November at 3pm.

Still to come

Rogers and England are at Spain on Sunday 15 November at 7.45pm, with the group lead at stake. Gusto’s France host Turkey the same evening at 7.45pm. Argentina play Uruguay on Friday 13 November at 11pm, with Martinez, Valentin Barco and Aaron Anselmino in the squad, Anselmino on a first senior call-up. Moises Caicedo is set to feature for Ecuador against Costa Rica at 12am on Saturday, his first game for his country since the World Cup. On Saturday, Pedro Neto and Geovany Quenda, who could make a senior debut, face Denmark with Portugal at 7.45pm, and Estevao is with Brazil against Japan at 10.15am.