Chelsea fans will be eager to see if their talisman has forced his way into England’s starting line-up this weekend.
Cole Palmer has only played in a total of 20 minutes so far at Euro 2024. However, it feels like there’s a pressure on England manager Gareth Southgate from supporters to start the Chelsea attacker on Sunday.
The Three Lions take on Slovakia in a few days time in a last-16 fixture at the Euros.
For Palmer, he was an unused substitute for England’s opening two games of the summer tournament. But after watching from the bench a win over Serbia and a draw with Denmark, he was handed 20 minutes in the 0-0 draw against Slovenia on Tuesday.
His short cameo this week as a right-winger definitely injected extra directness and got people talking.
Danny Murphy picks his England front four vs Slovakia, includes Cole Palmer
BBC pundit Danny Murphy has said he would bring Chelsea’s Palmer into the England side that faces Slovakia in a knockout tie. He’d actually do the same with Anthony Gordon, too.
Murphy told BBC Sport: “Gareth Southgate is not going to do this but I would play Cole Palmer on the right. Phil Foden as the 10 and Anthony Gordon on the left with Harry Kane up top.”
England’s front four has been set in stone for the three tournament matches so far. Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden have started on the wings, while Jude Bellingham is in the No 10 behind striker Harry Kane.
However, there’s no hiding from the fact that England only scored twice as a team in the three group stage games.
Gareth Southgate should be brave
It would be a bold call to give Palmer his first start of the tournament in the knockout rounds, but The Chelsea Chronicle really thinks England should give it a serious consideration.
Palmer, 22, doesn’t strike you as someone who lacks confidence. In fact, he strolled onto the pitch against Slovenia and looked as comfortable as he has since joining Chelsea.
The versatile attacker, who can play centrally or on the right, will add a spark to an England side that needs a small lift. He’ll have no fear taking on opposition players 1v1, plus he’s a real goal threat fresh off a stunning 2023/24 season.
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