---
title: "Cole Palmer faces ‘really difficult’ England battle as Cascarino backs front four after seven-goal rout"
canonical: "https://readchelsea.com/2026/10/04/cole-palmer-faces-really-difficult-england-battle-as-cascarino-backs-front-four-after-seven-goal-rout/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "James Chettle"
section: "Chelsea News"
published: "2026-10-04T10:46:33Z"
modified: "2026-10-04T10:46:33Z"
---

# Cole Palmer faces ‘really difficult’ England battle as Cascarino backs front four after seven-goal rout

> **Key takeaways**
>
> - **England:** All four starting attackers scored against Croatia.
> - **Morgan Rogers:** The Chelsea attacker added the seventh from the bench.
> - **Cole Palmer:** Withdrew after receiving a recall for this international window.

Tony Cascarino doubts Cole Palmer’s chances of starting for England.

Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka scored twice in Saturday’s 7-0 victory over Croatia, with Jude Bellingham and Anthony Gordon also finding the net.

Discussing Palmer and Phil Foden on [talkSPORT’s Weekend Breakfast](https://talksport.com/football/4623369/phil-foden-cole-palmer-england-warning-thomas-tuchel/), Cascarino said:

> “But I look at that four and I think it’s gonna be really difficult to dislodge them.”

That is the pundit’s assessment of the competition, rather than an announced selection decision from Thomas Tuchel.

## Palmer’s absence gives England rivals their opportunity

Chelsea’s [official international guide](https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/chelsea-international-call-ups-and-schedules-for-september-2026) confirms Palmer withdrew after his recall.

His absence previously prompted [PFA criticism of football’s workload](https://readchelsea.com/2026/09/29/cole-palmer-england-withdrawal-pfa-system-criticism/). Saturday’s result brings the sporting competition into sharper focus.

Chelsea team-mate [Rogers scored England’s seventh after coming off the bench](https://readchelsea.com/2026/10/03/chelseas-morgan-rogers-rounds-keeper-to-score-as-england-crush-croatia-in-seven-goal-rout/), rounding Dominik Livakovic before finishing.

However, Tuchel’s willingness to rotate also matters.

According to [Chelsea’s official match account](https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/internationals-rogers-provides-gloss-on-historic-england-win), he made five changes from the previous victory over Czechia, which Rogers started.

The performance strengthens the starting attackers’ case for another opportunity. It does not establish a permanent pecking order.

England conclude this international window against Czechia at Wembley on Tuesday.