Jeff Stelling has been discussing whether or not Chelsea star Cole Palmer should start England’s first game at Euro 2024.
England take on Serbia in their group stage opener, and Cole Palmer will be hoping to keep his place in the team.
The attacker started the Three Lions’ two warm-up games and was excellent for Chelsea last season.
In 45 appearances, Palmer scored 25 goals and provided 15 assists.
Even so, the 22-year-old starting against Serbia is definitely not a guarantee, with Bukayo Saka also competing for the spot on the right-hand side.
Jeff Stelling weighs in on Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka debate
Like Palmer, Saka also had a very strong 2023/24 season.
Across the 47 games the winger played in, he scored 20 goals and set up another 14, so his stats are quite similar to Palmer’s.
Nevertheless, Stelling still thinks it should be the Chelsea man who gets the nod for the Serbia game.
Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: “My front three is going to be a bit controversial. I’m going to pick Palmer just ahead of Bukayo Saka. Saka’s had a bit of a knock, not quite back up to 100 per cent, I think Palmer showed enough against Iceland.
“Palmer, [Harry] Kane and Anthony Gordon, who I thought was our biggest threat for most part of the night [against Iceland].
Should Cole Palmer start over Bukayo Saka against Serbia?
Albeit from the penalty spot, Palmer did score in England’s first warm-up game versus Bosnia and Herzegovina and had a fantastic finish to the season.
In his last four matches, the former Manchester City man came up with four goal contributions.
In April, Palmer also scored two hat-tricks, netting four goals in a 6-0 win against Everton.
Based on form, then, the Chelsea star should start on Sunday. However, Southgate could still go with Saka, a player he knows a bit better after working with him for longer.
Chelsea fans will be disappointed, but it is a good problem for the England boss to have.
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