Cole Palmer's form for Chelsea ought to make him a shoo-in for England’s final international squad of 2026. The question is whether Thomas Tuchel has lost patience with him.

Palmer was hugely disappointed when he was overlooked for the World Cup in the summer after a stop-start season due to injury, and he withdrew from the last England camp in September and October because of a minor fitness issue.

The 24-year-old has been unavailable for selection due to injury three times since Tuchel took over, and he has withdrawn from two further squads after being named. He has only played three times for his country since the German coach took the reins in January 2025.

But Palmer is one of the most in-form forwards in the Premier League right now. Eight goal involvements in 11 matches testify to that, although Morgan Rogers, who has had a hand in 10 goals, and Jude Bellingham, who's contributed to nine, have better stats.

If Palmer were left out, it would be a pointed statement from the England boss and would raise serious doubts about his international future under Tuchel.

When it was put to Tuchel in the last break that Palmer doesn't seem desperate to play for England, he responded: "It's hard to argue against what you're saying. I can only judge him on what he is delivering for the national team and he's just missing too many opportunities."

Tuchel viewed the last international camp as a real success. A narrow home defeat, with some positives, against the world champions Spain was followed by three straight victories, including a 7-0 mauling of Croatia in Rijeka.

On several occasions when the squad has performed well, Tuchel has rewarded those players by sticking with a broadly similar group in the next camp.

If he does the same again, Palmer may miss out. Which of the other number 10s who were included in September and October would have to give up their place to accommodate Palmer this time?

Bellingham and Rogers are guaranteed selections. Eberechi Eze may be vulnerable after a stop-start month with Arsenal, as might Morgan Gibbs-White, who benefitted when Palmer withdrew last time.

Similar to Palmer, it feels like Kobbie Mainoo's England future is on a knife-edge right now. The midfielder was the only outfield player not to get a minute of football during England's World Cup, and Tuchel promised to make amends in the Nations League games this autumn - only for Mainoo to withdraw from the squad before it even met up, with an unspecified injury.

Will Tuchel persevere and try again to call up the Manchester United 21-year-old? Or has the coach moved on, so that he will instead focus on the man who replaced Mainoo in a late call-up last time, James Garner?

Or could there be a surprise call-up for his Everton team-mate, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who has been backed by David Moyes for an international chance? Dewsbury-Hall's biggest problem may be that he has been used predominantly as a number 10 by Moyes, where England are blessed with options. He can play deeper.

The debate around Trent Alexander-Arnold's England place is to the fore once again, largely because Tuchel's right-back injury problems have eased.

Reece James remains absent, and is expected to be missing until the New Year. But Djed Spence is likely to be recalled after starting the last two matches for Inter Milan. He was one of the stars of the World Cup, but failed to prove his fitness for England's last round of matches.

With Ben White also pushing for a recall after returning to action with Arsenal, will Alexander-Arnold be left out once more? To do so would be hugely controversial.

England's captain is sure to get top billing this time round, as Harry Kane returns to England for the first time since winning the Ballon d'Or.

Expect some special tributes from the FA at Wembley, for the opening Nations League game against Croatia next Thursday - not least because, if he plays in that game, Kane will become England's most capped player of all time, outdoing Peter Shilton's 125 caps.

With question marks over who could ever replace him as England's main goal-getter, there is a clamour for the leading goalscorer in English football this season to be given a chance. Will Lankshear's 13 goals for Middlesbrough are unmatched across the four divisions, but he is likely to remain with England's U21s for now.

Elsewhere, a question mark looms at right-wing in the absence of the injured Bukayo Saka. His Arsenal team-mate Noni Madueke, who missed out on the last camp, is likely to deputise for his country, as he has been doing for his club.

An assist and three goals - the latest of those following an impressive run and finish on Tuesday in Prague in the Champions League - should be enough to see him recalled.

The veteran Jordan Henderson is also expected to win his England place back, now that he is playing regularly for Chelsea after recovering from the bizarre broken arm he suffered during England's celebrations after their momentous victory over Mexico at the Azteca Stadium four months ago.

Dan Burn is likely to be back in an England shirt this month, since returning to form for Newcastle after an extended spell on the sidelines.

Tuchel praised Chelsea's Levi Colwill last month and said he was close to being selected; his involvement this time can't be ruled out, as he pushes Jarred Branthwaite hard for a spot in the squad.

Whilst John Stones is close to a comeback for Inter, this international break has probably come a fortnight too soon for him.

Tuchel to announce England squad on Friday morning

Thomas Tuchel will announce his England squad for November's Nations League games with Croatia and Spain on Friday morning - and you can follow the announcement with Sky Sports.

We'll be at Wembley for the announcement and bring you the news as it breaks, analysis of the selections, and what England boss Tuchel has to say in his press conference.

England are second in Group A3 and only require a point against Croatia to guarantee a place in the quarter-finals.

• England vs Croatia - Thursday, November 12
• Spain vs England - Sunday, November 15