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Cole Palmerhas firmly stated he is ‘not weeping’ overThomas Tuchel‘choice to remove him fromEnglandThe national team’s World Cup squad this summer – but mentions he won’t closely follow their performance.

The Chelseastar, 24, seemed to have secured a long-term role with the national team following an impressive debut at Stamford Bridge and scoring for England’sEuro 2024final against Spain, but a remarkable decline in performance has caused him to be completely excluded from Tuchel’s plans.

The German’s choice to leave out Palmer, as well asReal Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold and Manchester City star Phil Foden, came as a big shock to many supporters and will stay a topic of discussion if England keep facing difficulties in attack, as they did in their underwhelming 0-0 match against Ghana.

However, Palmer, who is currently experiencing an uncommon summer vacation, is keen to focus on the bright side.

“I’ll take some time to unwind this summer, finally rest after three or four years, and then return to what I truly enjoy,” he said.i-D during an interview titled Cole Palmer, The Unusually Ordinary One.

This season hasn’t been great, but that’s just how it is. I’m not shedding tears over a decision that can’t be reversed, and I hope the team goes all the way.

When asked if he will follow England’s games in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico this summer, he replied, “If I don’t have anything else to do, then I’ll watch the matches, sure.”

Palmer had an impressive first season at Chelsea after moving from Manchester City in 2023, netting 22 goals and providing 11 assists in 33 Premier League matches during that season.

Capped by Gareth Southgate with a Three Lions invitation in the summer, Palmer made an important impact off the bench for England on their way to the final, scoring a remarkable equalizer as a substitute before Spain’s devastating late goal.

The 2024-25 season, though not as prominent, remained productive for Palmer as he assumed the role of Chelsea’s primary player, scoring 15 goals and providing nine assists in the Premier League during that period.

However, the previous campaign revealed a significant decline in Palmer’s performance, dropping below his typical level, as he had to deal with a series of challenging injuries in his groin and subsequently his hamstring.

In just 26 Premier League matches, he scored 10 goals and provided one assist as Chelsea faced a disastrous second half of the season, ending up in 10th place and missing out on European competition entirely.

While not part of the England squad this summer, Palmer has been spending time enjoying vacations and unwinding with his girlfriend, Olivia Holder.

The Chelsea player was initially seen at Wayne Lineker’s O Beach Club in Ibiza a few days following the conclusion of the Premier League season, making a strong impression alongside the brother of Gary, who is a party promoter.

Palmer then went back to the White Isle with a different group for a second journey to Spain in mid-June, as his sister, influencer Hallie Jennifer Palmer, posted an image of her brother traveling in humble conditions, with the family choosing to take a Jet2 flight to get to their destination.

He and Holder were shown hugging in a pool, enjoying the Spanish sunshine.

For Palmer, leaving behind the demanding and high-pressure atmosphere of football allows him to relax, and spending more time with friends and family this summer has proven to be a positive bright spot.

I don’t get too depressed,” he added. “I just chat with my friends who aren’t involved in football. They’re regular people, which helps me feel normal and stay grounded.

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