Maheta Molango defends Chelsea star Cole Palmer over England row
Cole Palmer
Thomas TuchelProfessional Footballers’ Association chief executive Maheta Molango has launched a strong defence of Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer, insisting the midfielder is a casualty of an unforgiving playing schedule.
The 24-year-old pulled out of the latest England squad with a muscle injury, sparking criticism over his absence and frustration from national manager Thomas Tuchel.
Alarm bells over player welfare
During a performance summit held by FIFPRO in London, Molango argued that the sheer volume of fixtures is pushing elite players to breaking point.
The PFA boss pointed to the high number of international withdrawals as clear evidence of a systemic problem within the modern game.
Speaking at the event, Molango said:
“He’s missing because he’s a victim of the calendar and that’s something that needs to absolutely trigger the alarm bells.”
The union leader expressed deep concern that fans are being deprived of seeing the game’s most exciting talents at their best.
Molango argued that the current structure is failing both the players and the paying public, describing the setup as unhealthy and driven by administrative politics.
Speaking about the wider issues in the sport, Molango said:
“What we’ve seen over the last few years is a system that’s sick, that’s ill, because it ultimately revolves around obtaining votes and power consolidation.”
A relentless schedule for elite talent
Molango highlighted that Palmer has endured an incredibly intense run of tournaments, representing the England Under-21 side in 2023, the senior national team at Euro 2024, and appearing for Chelsea during the 2025 Club World Cup.
With each of those tournaments resulting in final appearances, the midfielder has had almost no time to rest and recuperate between grueling domestic seasons.
The PFA chief also noted that this is not an isolated issue, pointing to recent withdrawals from other European stars like Kai Havertz, Brian Brobbey, and Kylian Mbappe.
He warned that the sport is turning into a test of physical survival rather than a showcase of peak athletic performance.
Tuchel voices his frustration
Despite these physical demands, Palmer has faced scrutiny for managing his workload, especially after being left out of Tuchel’s World Cup squad following an injury-hit campaign.
The England manager did not hide his disappointment at losing the Chelsea star for the upcoming Nations League fixtures, suggesting the player has too many missed opportunities on the international stage.
From the beginning of the 2023-24 campaign, the midfielder has racked up 138 appearances for his club alongside 14 international caps.
This massive tally comes despite the playmaker being sidelined for two and a half months with an injury during the 2025-26 season.
Palmer has already accumulated 578 minutes of action across seven games this term, having played almost every single minute for Chelsea.
His only rest came when he sat out 45 minutes of a Carabao Cup fixture against Leeds United.
Keane raises doubts over England impact
It is not just the national team manager who has questioned the Chelsea talisman, with television pundits also weighing in on his international credentials.
Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane expressed serious reservations about Palmer’s ability to guide the national team to silverware.
Speaking to ITV, Keane said:
“I watched his last game against Brentford and if you think he’s going to get England to another level and win trophies, forget about it.”
Keane added that while he respects the playmaker’s obvious talent, he believes the 24-year-old still possesses too many flaws in his game.
For now, Palmer will remain with Chelsea to manage his recovery during the three-week domestic hiatus, hoping to return to full fitness for the Blues’ upcoming fixtures.
