Maheta Molango defends Cole Palmer after Thomas Tuchel criticism
Cole Palmer
Thomas TuchelMaheta Molango has launched a passionate defence of Chelsea star Cole Palmer, claiming the playmaker is a victim of a broken football calendar.
The PFA chief executive was responding directly to recent comments from England manager Thomas Tuchel, who criticised Palmer for his repeated absences from international duty.
The Chelsea playmaker had been named in the Three Lions squad for the opening international break of the campaign but was forced to pull out.
He was also a notable absentee for Tuchel’s World Cup selection, prompting the German manager to address the situation publicly.
Defending the Chelsea playmaker, 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.”
A system under strain
Molango argued that players withdrawing from international duty is a symptom of a wider problem, pointing to other high-profile European stars who have also missed matches recently.
The PFA boss named Kai Havertz, Brian Brobbey, and Kylian Mbappe as other examples of players struggling under the demands of the modern schedule.
He questioned whether the current system is truly what supporters want, warning that the players who make fans dream are being pushed to a point where they can no longer perform.
Criticising the governing bodies, 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.”
Tuchel demands commitment
This public defence comes after Tuchel openly questioned Palmer’s availability for the national team, expressing frustration at the Chelsea player’s frequent withdrawals.
The England boss insisted he was not blaming Palmer directly but made it clear that he expects his players to be present if they want to build a relationship with him.
The England manager explained that he needs to see players in person to properly integrate them into his plans, calling the situation a missed opportunity.
Addressing the media, Tuchel said:
“He misses too many camps. That’s the overall headline.”
The battle over player welfare
Tuchel insisted that he only wants to rely on what he can witness directly within his squad, which requires players to be physically present.
Discussing the importance of international camps, Tuchel said:
“He misses way too many camps with injuries, and I only want to rely on what I witness within my team, and for that you have to be in camp.”
Molango, however, believes the focus should be on protecting elite talent rather than criticising them, pointing out that Palmer would have played four consecutive summers had he gone to the World Cup.
The PFA chief warned that the current path is unsustainable, stating that football is heading towards a survival of the fittest model that risks ruining the spectacle for paying supporters.
He concluded by stating that fans pay to see stars like Palmer and Phil Foden, rather than administrators like himself, and that these players must be allowed to perform at their peak.
