England Player Ratings: 'Pale shadow' Cole Palmer at risk of missing Tuchel World Cup cut

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COLE Palmer looks a pale shadow of the England star who lit up the Euros.

The Chelsea playmaker is clearly way below his best, looks as if he is carrying an injury and is a huge worry now as to whether he will make this summer’s World Cup squad.

Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Maheta Molango last week said Palmer and some of his Chelsea teammates had been left "shattered" by non-stop football.

That certainly looked the case when Chelsea played at Arsenal on Sunday, because Palmer was miles off the player who was such a key figure in the last Euros.

The 23-year-old is a slight player and he almost looks vulnerable quite apart from the fact that he has been plagued by injuries this season.

Maybe that should not be a surprise. If Palmer goes to the World Cup then it will be his third consecutive summer of football - and it feels too much.

Palmer sunk to the floor during the London derby at the Emirates Stadium with no-one around him in the 34th minute, and he was never able to light up the game.

He looks like he could be most at risk from the cut this summer as Thomas Tuchel can only take so many No.10s in one squad.

His teammate Reece James is another who has been through injuries and non-stop football, but he is actually looking good as a tenacious defender and also an attacking force.

The other player to really catch the eye this weekend - quite apart from Jordan Pickford’s breathtaking save to deny Sandro Tonali - was Bournemouth’s Alex Scott .

What I really like about Scott - who was of course in the England squad just three months ago - is that he always looks forward.

Scott is fearless on the ball, he is ready to run with the ball and makes things happen. In the big shake-up for midfield places he looks such a good bet.

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There are three months to go until Tuchel has to pick his final England squad for this summer’s World Cup - and he has huge competition in almost every position.

Here, Cross gives his latest verdict on selected players and how likely they are right now to be ‘on the plane’ in the summer.

There’s the chance to have your say in the article - so get involved.

Match rating: 5/10

Quiet and subdued. He just does not look fully fit or sharp. Did not make things happen and struggled to get into the game.

Current form: 6/10

Mixed. He can really boss games and be the shining light. And then disappear in others. This speaks to a player struggling for match fitness, sharpness and, most of all, confidence.

England squad rating: 7/10

The reason he keeps a 7 is that I think it is him or Phil Foden - and he’s struggling a bit too.

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Match rating: 8/10

Great going forward and his crossing was sensational - especially from corners. But he was caught out badly on Arsenal’s first goal as he went to sleep and lost Gabriel, who then set up William Saliba.

Current form: 7/10

In good form for Chelsea. He is so dangerous going forward, and now Rosenior is in charge, it feels he is far more likely to play right-back than get drafted into midfield. Good leader and captain. He is so passionate and sets the tone. England squad rating: 9/10

James is in pole position to start the World Cup as England’s right-back. A few years ago England had so many right back options - Walker, Trippier, Alexander-Arnold and even Lamptey - but now James is the outstanding candidate in a less-crowded field.

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Match rating: 6/10

He was back to being human this week and did some nice things against Chelsea but nothing out of the ordinary. He looked just off the pace and was a long way from his brilliant display at Tottenham last week.

Current form: 6/10

He has been up and down all season - and never more so than at the moment. He was good at Spurs, subdued against Chelsea and you do not what is coming next.

England squad rating: 6/10

It is hard to see Eze making the cut for England this summer because of the depth in the No.10 players, and he is just not suited for the wide left roles.

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Match rating: 6/10

He built on what he did at Tottenham and was better than the last two or three months. Not as good as his starring role at Spurs, but wore the armband and worked hard.

Current form: 6/10

Mixed. He was so good at Spurs and this was decent without being amazing.

England squad rating: 9/10

There is absolutely no doubt that he is in the starting XI. He is one of England’s untouchables.

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Match rating: 7/10

Neutral observers made him Chelsea’s best centre half as he read the game well, spotted danger and won the battle with Viktor Gyokeres time and again. Good pace and aggression. Yes, Chelsea got undone at corners but he did OK overall.

Current form: 6/10

He has been good. Could definitely benefit from a regular partner in the middle of defence but he is showing enough to get into the squad.

England squad rating: 6/10

Tuchel knows him, likes him and rates him from Chelsea days. I think he has a decent chance.

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Match rating: 8/10

Never stopped working, running and looking for the ball. He always looks to go forward. He is brave in possession. His performances this season has really caught the eye of Tuchel and his staff - and this will have done so again.

Current form: 7/10

He has been good, reliable and it is so noticeable that when he plays well, Bournemouth play well. A vital cog in the engine.

England squad rating: 7/10

Tuchel picked him before because he likes what he does and if he finishes the season well then he has a shot.

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Do you agree with John Cross? Have your say with our England squad slider - in or out - below...

Here’s John Cross’s latest ratings for how likely each player is to make the England squad (ranked out of 10)

The players are ranked in order in their positions.

Goalkeepers

Right Backs

Left Backs

Central Defenders

Midfielders

Right Forwards

Left Forwards

No.10s

Strikers