Chelsea duo Cole Palmer and Conor Gallagher have been bench players for England at Euro 2024.
Conor Gallagher has started just one game at the European Championship so far, while Cole Palmer is yet to be named in Gareth Southgate’s first XI.
The latter, however, did play a big role in England reaching the semi-finals of the tournament.
It was the Chelsea attacker who scored the first spot-kick in the Three Lions’ penalty shoot-out victory over Switzerland in the previous round.
Stuart Pearce now wants to see Palmer feature heavily in the game against the Netherlands later.
Gareth Southgate thinks Cole Palmer and Conor Gallagher are making an impact for England
While Palmer and Gallagher have not been starters for England, Southgate has been happy with their contributions when they have come on.
According to the Three Lions boss, Palmer has helped “accelerate” games for the team, while Gallagher has aided them in closing matches out.
Ahead of England’s semi-final against the Netherlands, Southgate told the Daily Mirror and other outlets: “We’ve kept a consistent team, I think the team have thrived through that support, the confidence that’s given them.
“I think they’ve all stepped up in different moments, important pieces of play, goals, assists, whatever it’s been and the impact of the substitutes in every game — whether that’s been to close games out as Conor Gallagher has done a couple of times for us — or to accelerate games like Eberechi Eze and Cole Palmer.”
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer can be the difference-maker against the Netherlands
All of England’s games at the Euros so far have been tight encounters.
You would expect their upcoming match against the Netherlands, then, to be no different, especially with Ronald Koeman’s side being a top team.
Considering that, Southgate may have to use his bench to come out victorious later.
Palmer is obviously one individual who has the ability to make a difference for the Three Lions.
Last season, he scored 25 goals and provided 15 assists for Chelsea. If England need a goal, he could be the man to turn to.
There are also the likes of Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins, proven Premier League goalscorers. Southgate is certainly not short of attacking options.
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