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Cole Palmer seems to be making the most of his unexpected summer holiday, as he was seen relaxing in Ibiza with Wayne Lineker after being left out of England’s World Cup squad. The Chelsea forward was one of the most notable omissions from Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man list for the upcoming tournament.

Ibiza reunion as England begin preparations

While his England teammates touched down in Florida to start their World Cup training camp, Palmer was spotted soaking up the sunshine in the Mediterranean. The 24-year-old attacker returned to Ibiza seeking some relaxation after the disappointment of missing out on the national team’s call-up for this summer’s competition.

Palmer was seen alongside O Beach Ibiza owner Wayne Lineker, with the two posing together at the well-known beach club. The Chelsea star is no stranger to the venue, having visited the 63-year-old entrepreneur’s establishment last summer after his involvement in the Club World Cup. This time, however, the trip has a different tone — more about reflection than celebration following his exclusion from international duty.

Tuchel’s tough decision on the Chelsea forward

Leaving Palmer out of the squad was one of Tuchel’s most difficult decisions. Despite being a standout performer during his debut season at Stamford Bridge, the former Manchester City player found it challenging to replicate that same level of impact this year. A campaign disrupted by minor injuries and inconsistent performances ultimately cost him a ticket to the United States.

During the 2024-25 Premier League season, Palmer scored 15 goals — five fewer than his tally under Enzo Maresca in the previous campaign. That decline in output appears to have convinced Tuchel to look in other directions as he finalised his selection for football’s biggest stage.

England’s heat versus island leisure

The contrast between Palmer’s surroundings and those of his England colleagues could hardly be sharper. While he was pictured lounging on a bright yellow sofa with a vodka bottle nearby, the national squad were training in 32-degree heat in Miami. Tuchel’s men have wasted no time adjusting to the Florida climate, training at the Belgrove Resort and Spa in Palm Beach.

England are scheduled to take on New Zealand in Tampa Bay this Saturday in their first warm-up match, followed by a final friendly against Costa Rica on June 10. After that, they will head to Kansas City to set up base before starting their group stage campaign against Croatia, Ghana, and Panama. Palmer, meanwhile, is expected to enjoy his first extended break since his headline-making transfer from Manchester.

A timely break for Palmer

Since moving to West London in 2023, Palmer has hardly had time to rest, becoming a regular for both Chelsea and England under former manager Sir Gareth Southgate. The physical and mental strain of the past year appears to have caught up with him, making this enforced break an opportunity to recharge before the new season.

For Palmer, the attention now turns to a full pre-season with Chelsea, where he aims to rediscover the form that once made him one of the Premier League’s most talked-about talents and earn back his spot in Tuchel’s future plans.