Palmer withdrew from the England squad due to a muscle injury, but former West Ham defender James Collins suggested he might be faking the injury to stay with his club.

Palmer withdrew from the England squad earlier this week after being recalled by Thomas Tuchel for the upcoming Nations League matches.

Palmer was removed from England's Nations League squad for matches against Spain, the Czech Republic, and Croatia. Chelsea stated that the 24-year-old suffered a muscle injury. Palmer had previously missed out on the World Cup squad, but his excellent form at Chelsea earned him a recall from Tuchel.

Since the start of the season, Palmer has made 7 appearances across all competitions, scoring 4 goals and providing 2 assists. His form has improved significantly compared to last season's poor run. Last season, he was hampered by a persistent groin injury, and he will be hoping to avoid similar setbacks this time around.

Palmer's decision to withdraw from the England squad sparked controversy on social media, with some users suggesting the Chelsea star was not injured but simply chose to prioritise his club over international duty. Collins shared this view, accusing Palmer of faking the injury.

Speaking on the 'No Tippy Tappy Football' podcast for BoyleSports and Footy Accumulators, Collins said: "I think Palmer has a chip on his shoulder. He's upset he didn't make the World Cup, so he pulled out of the England squad. That's my take on it.

"I don't know the lad, but from a former player's perspective, I think he just has a chip on his shoulder.

"From a former player's perspective, it sounds like he went to the Chelsea physio and said, 'I really don't want to go, just make up any excuse.' It might not be like that, but I've played the game, and that's how it seems to me."

This international break was seen as an excellent opportunity for Palmer to impress Tuchel, but he is now unable to participate. Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf believes Palmer's withdrawal could negatively impact his international career.

Leboeuf told Mr Gamble: "This could harm Palmer's England career, but if he can play at the level he did two or three years ago, Thomas Tuchel will have to call him up every time.

"The media and fans will demand his inclusion. It's a tricky situation, but hopefully he only pulled out because he wasn't 100% fit. If it's just a minor injury and he's staying to rest, that's good news for Chelsea. That's all I can say."

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