England stars overlooked by Thomas Tuchel this summer have wasted no time enjoying themselves while their team-mates pursue World Cup glory.
Even a few months ago, it might have been hard to imagine an England squad without Harry Maguire, Cole Palmer, or Phil Foden – or all three Premier League stars.
However, amid issues with injury, form, and competition in position, the top-flight bold-faced names have all been left behind.
For Chelsea star Palmer in particular, that has allowed him to take some much needed time off.
The Chelsea star was first spotted at Wayne Lineker’s O Beach Club in Ibiza days after the end of the Premier League season, posing up a storm with Gary’s party impresario brother.
The pull back to the White Isle must have been especially strong, with Palmer returning with another group for a second trip to Spain this week.
Cole Palmer is one of a number of stars left out of the England squad who has gone on holiday (pictured with his girlfriend Olivia Holder)
His former Man City team-mate Phil Foden opted to visit Disneyland Paris with his family
His sister, influencer Hallie Jennifer Palmer, shared a picture of her brother travelling in modest circumstances, with the family opting to hop on a Jet2 flight to reach their destination.
Palmer was joined by his girlfriend, Olivia Holder, with the pair captured larking about in the pool under the Spanish sun.
For his part, Palmer appeared to have good humour about circumstances, captioning a selection of photographs from his summer without competitive action: ‘could be worse’.
Palmer will also likely feel the benefit of rest following an intensive season, with little rest since Chelsea’s FIFA Club World Cup campaign.
The 24-year-old has since struggled with a persistent groin injury, in part affecting his place in Tuchel’s squad, and will be keen to work back to full fitness ahead of starting his 2026-27 campaign under new head coach Xabi Alonso.
Phil Foden has been similarly focused on enjoying time with his loved ones after missing out on a place in the England squad.
Kept out of the side by in-form stars such as Anthony Gordon, Marcus Rashford, and Morgan Rogers, Foden instead opted to take his family to Disneyland.
Sharing pictures of the family on his son Ronnie’s Instagram, Foden and his partner Rebecca Cooke noted how they could ‘never be bored’ at the Magic Kingdom.
Earlier in the break, the family enjoyed a holiday to sunny Marbella as Foden made the most of a rare pause in the footballing schedule.
Foden and Cooke also enjoyed an evening out as Tommy Fury overcame Eddie Hall at Manchester’s AO Arena – although the latter was keen not to have her evening disturbed by Only Fans model Lily Phillips.
The notorious content creator was captured appearing to head towards Foden to speak to him as the couple sat ringside, only for Cooke to pointedly wave Phillips away.
The Chelsea star has been able to enjoy the nightlife somewhat more than he is able to during a Premier League season
Harry Maguire took the opportunity to hop Stateside and enjoy a day at the US Open
He was also spotted meeting fans in a surprise new role selling World Cup Panini stickers
One England star left behind has been keen to keep football at the top of mind however, with Maguire travelling to New York to join The Rest Is Football for a special guest appearance on the Netflix-broadcast podcast.
Maguire had previously enjoyed a holiday to Barbados with his family, but made the trip Stateside to open up on his experiences with Thomas Tuchel and the England set-up.
The Manchester United defender was also spotted manning a booth by Rockefeller Centre handing out Panini World Cup stickers, surprising and delighting fans who unexpectedly encountered him.
Maguire has continued to stay on the same side of the Atlantic as his team-mates, with the 33-year-old bagging tickets for the final day of the US Open at Shinnecock Hills.
