Thomas Tuchel has responded to bold comments regarding Cole Palmer’s potential, praising the Chelsea star’s current form but downplaying the suggestion that he could be the best player in the world.
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The new England head coach, who will officially take charge on January 1, attended the draw in Zurich, where England was grouped with Serbia, Albania, Latvia, and Andorra for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Tuchel is hopeful of building a strong squad over the next few months as England, the favorites to top Group K, prepares for the tournament in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
With an undefeated record against their group rivals, England is widely tipped to secure the top spot.
Palmer, who scored England’s lone goal in the Euro 2024 final loss to Spain, has continued his impressive club form with Chelsea, having netted 11 goals and provided six assists in the Premier League this season.
Though many fans and pundits are already touting Palmer as one of the world’s top players, Tuchel remains cautious. When asked about the claim, he told Sky Sports, “That’s a bit too far, going into individual players.
But he’s definitely on form, and everyone would agree on that. Hopefully, he can keep it up and continue to grow.”
The former Chelsea manager added, “Everyone enjoys watching him; he’s calm, composed, and very clinical in both finishing and assisting.”
While Palmer is receiving attention for his performances, England’s all-time top scorer, Harry Kane, has faced criticism, especially after an underwhelming Euro 2024 campaign.
Despite calls to replace him with Ollie Watkins, Tuchel has praised Kane’s leadership and commitment. “There’s no need to look at other options right now,” Tuchel said. “I admire his quality, leadership, and character.”
Tuchel also shared his respect for England’s upcoming opponents, noting the strong footballing history of Serbia and Albania. “They have emotional players and well-known ex-players as coaches, so we must stay alert,” he remarked.
“Latvia will be a new experience for us, but we are the favorites, and our focus is on qualifying. We need to take every match seriously and with respect before we can dream of bigger goals.”
