There were no Chelsea players in England’s starting XI for their Euro 2024 opener against Serbia on Sunday.
Conor Gallagher was eventually brought on in the second half, but there was no opportunity for his Chelsea teammate Cole Palmer.
With England only having a 1-0 lead, some supporters would have wanted to see the attacker introduced after the season he has just had.
In 45 appearances for Chelsea, Palmer came up with 40 goal contributions.
Micah Richards has now been discussing whether Gareth Southgate should have introduced the 22-year-old to the game or not, while Gary Lineker shared his thoughts on the Gallagher substitution.
Gareth Southgate explains Conor Gallagher substitution
After England’s win against Serbia, Southgate told reporters the reason why he brought Gallagher on was because he wanted fresh legs.
Nevertheless, for Lineker, it was still an odd move to bring the 24-year-old on.
Speaking about the substitution on The Rest Is Football podcast, the former England striker said: “It was a strange game. The one thing they weren’t doing was keeping the ball and then suddenly you brought on a player who was probably less likely to keep the ball, which was odd.
“He said after the game I needed protection, I needed the legs. I disagree with him. I think we needed someone to calm down.”
Richards then went on to add: “We needed Palmer. It was a game for Palmer to get on the ball.”
Will Conor Gallagher start for England against Denmark?
England will be looking to make it six points out of six when they take on Denmark at Deutsche Bank Park on Thursday.
Gallagher and Palmer will both be desperate for minutes, but you would not expect either to come into the side.
Southgate’s starting XI got the job done in the Three Lions’ first game. He will feel that there is no reason to change anything yet.
Ultimately, then, if Gallagher and Palmer are to get minutes, then it is probably going to have to come from off the bench.
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