Not Keane - Palmer Has too Many 'Bad Habits' To Take England Further Says Roy Keane

Roy Keane Hits Out at Palmer After England Withdrawal

Manchester United legend Roy Keane has hit out at England and Chelsea star Cole Palmer, stating the 24-year-old has "bad habits" after his withdrawal from the England squad prior to the Three Lions fixtures during the international break.

The former midfielder and pundit called into question Palmer's ability to help bring England up a level and win major honours, calling out the Chelsea man for his lack of commitment.

Palmer was called up to the England squad for the current international break for the UEFA Nations League fixtures against Spain, Czech Republic and Croatia, but withdrew from the squad before the first match alongside Declan Rice, Kobbie Mainoo, Marcus Rashford and Tino Livramento.

Palmer's withdrawal is the third time he has pulled out from an England camp through injury, with the offical reasoning being 'load management' and the second since Tuchel's appointment, with his latest absence growing concerns from some over his comittment to the national team.

Roy Keane savages Cole Palmer after his England withdrawal😳 pic.twitter.com/IxW6gj0PLl

— Daily Mail Sport (@MailSport) September 27, 2026

When asked about Palmer's absence from the squad for England's fixture vs Spain on ITV, Keane said "I like Palmer, he's a talented boy, but he's got far too many bad habits for me. I watched his last match vs Brentford, and If you think he's going to get England to another level and win trophies, forget about it."

Tuchel also admitted he has concerns over Palmer's recent involvement with England, saying "He misses way too many camps with injures, I can only judge him on what he is delivering with the national team, and he's just missing too many opportunites."

The Chelsea forward stated on a recent Twitch live stream that he had been suffering through injury for a while, saying he "had one leg for ten months", but despite the fitness struggles has featured in all of Chelsea's seven competitive fixtures so far this campaign, starting six, scoring twice and assisting twice in five league matches, four of which he has completed the full 90 minutes in.

Ferdinand Hits Back At Keane's Comments

As a result, questions have been raised over Palmer's commitment to the England national team and whether Palmer should be considered in the future, but former defender and teammate of Keane, Rio Ferdinand, has defended the Englishman following Keane's comments, saying that Palmer is a 'precocious talent'

"I'm not saying he has to start, but boy, I find it hard not to put him in, I think he is a wonderful player.

"Cole Palmer is a precocious talent and I think you need him in and around the squad. Roy might have seen him having a bad day vs Brentford, but what this kid can do with a football is rare."

Since Tuchel's beginnings as England boss in January 2025, Palmer has made just three appearances for the Three Lions under the German coach, with two being substitute appearances against Uruguay and Japan, making just one start for his country since Tuchel's appointment.

🚨🗣️ 𝗡𝗘𝗪: Roy Keane does NOT believe Cole Palmer is the player who will take England to the next level:

“If you think he’s going to get England to another level and WIN TROPHIES, forget about it.”

“I like Palmer, he’s a talented boy, but he’s got FAR TOO MANY bad habits for… pic.twitter.com/y6yTwunyRZ

— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) September 27, 2026

In total, Palmer has 14 England caps, 11 of them coming under former England boss Gareth Southgate, scoring twice, including the equaliser in the 2024 European Championships Final vs Spain in Berlin after coming off the bench, although it would go on to count for little as England would later fall to defeat.

England's first match in the international break saw them defeated by Spain in a repeat of that final, and with the same conclusion with forward Mikel Oyarzabal scoring the winning goal, with further matches to come with an away test vs Czech Republic in Prague on Tuesday night, before welcoming the Czech's back to Wembley before an away tie in Croatia.