Morgan Rogers has said "it is a lie" that Cole Palmer isn't committed to playing for England.
Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel appeared to question Palmer's desire to play for his country after suggesting he "missed too many opportunities to impress" after the Chelsea midfielder withdrew from the September/October squad with a minor muscular injury.
Palmer has played for England just three times in the last two years with his last appearance coming in March.
However, Tuchel also insisted last week that "it was not personal" and that "we will never assume that Cole is not in the mindset to come and [is not] desperate to play for his country" after opting against calling up a fit-again Palmer for this month's Nations League games against Croatia and Spain.
After England beat Croatia 2-1 at Wembley on Thursday, Rogers leapt to the defence of his Blues teammate, who has been friends with the midfielder since they were 14 years old together in Manchester City's academy.
Asked about people suggesting Palmer may not always want to play for England, Rogers told BBC Radio 5 Live: "It's a lie. He wants to be here. He wanted to get called up and he wanted to come and represent his country as he always has done. People just see it as news and say the easy thing.
"We all know he had a difficult year last year with injuries and I know personally he's been managing them injuries ever since.
"He was in quite a low place with his injuries last year and didn't feel 100% himself on the pitch, so he wants to be here and he wants to be the best version of himself. Of course he does, who wouldn't? But he also has to look at his body.
"He wants to play for 10-15 years, he also has to manage himself. If he has to manage himself in the short term for the greater good then he has to do that and you have to fully support it.
"It has nothing to do with England or not wanting to play with England. It's a nonsense really that people are questioning someone that wants to play for England.
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"You see the joy and smile on his face, how much he loves the game, so I honestly don't get it and he doesn't get it.
"But it's something he has to deal with but I can assure you he wants to be here and he wants to play for his country."
Pushed on whether he wants to see Palmer in an England shirt: "Of course I do. What a player he is. What a person he is and it's someone you want to see in an England shirt. He's got so much quality, so much ability.
"We all know what we can do, what he's done, so of course we want to see him in an England shirt and hopefully sooner rather than later."
Rogers scored the opening goal against Croatia before Peter Sucic equalised early in the second half. Harry Kane marked his record-breaking 126th cap with by converting a 64th-minute penalty to earn a 2-1 win.
When asked about Rogers' comments, Tuchel said: "It is totally fine. It is his teammate and I guess his friend so why wouldn't he make an emotional statement?
"If he did it, I didn't hear it so I'm not going to comment on it. All I can say is, I am very happy with the emotional commitment from Morgan and the physical commitment of Morgan Rogers.
"I think he was the standout player today offensively and defensively and that's what matters."