Cole Palmer says England snub fuels Premier League drive

Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer said on Friday that being left out of England's World Cup squad has given him extra motivation for the upcoming Premier League season. Speaking to reporters in Sydney ahead of a preseason friendly against Tottenham on Saturday, the 24-year-old acknowledged the snub was a driving force as he aims to return to his best form after an injury-plagued campaign.

Palmer was omitted from manager Thomas Tuchel's squad for the tournament, where England reached the semifinals before losing to Argentina. The Chelsea attacker said he followed some of the matches from afar, including England's round-of-16 win over Mexico, which kicked off in the early hours of the morning in the UK. He admitted, however, that he fell asleep at halftime of that game due to the time difference while he was in the United States.

When asked if the omission would fuel him this season, Palmer responded affirmatively. He stated that if someone tells you you are not good enough for the squad, you naturally try to go harder. Palmer emphasized that his immediate focus is on Chelsea, adding he is not overly preoccupied with reclaiming an England spot at this moment.