Ian Wright explains how Southgate can fit Cole Palmer into the England Euro 2024 squad
The Three Lions finished at the top position of Group C with only five points after a disappointing goalless draw with Slovenia in their final group game of Euro 2024. But England has produced three dull displays despite boasting the best attack on paper in this tournament.
England manager Gareth Southgate’s reluctance to rotate the team is one of the talking points once again in this Euros. But there was a green light when Cole Palmer made a 20-minute cameo after replacing Bukayo Saka on the right wing.
The Chelsea star played with a sense of urgency when he stepped on the pitch for his first appearance at a major tournament. Palmer was an unused substitute against Serbia and Denmark in the first two games of the campaign.
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How can Southgate fit Cole Palmer into the England squad?
Palmer’s impressive cameo against Slovenia has led to calls for him to start games for England going forward now. Chelsea’s Player of the Season ended the game with a 100% passing accuracy.
Palmer also fired a late shot straight at the goalkeeper, forcing Jan Oblak to make a low save in the stoppage time.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright believes Saka should be moved out of his favoured right-wing position to slot it at left-back, with Palmer starting on the right for England. Saka who played as a left-back at the youth level for England would be a great fit in that position but there’s an uncertainty over his defensive capabilities.
Wright said: ‘He’s looking to get it into you, any time he gets on the ball,’ he said of Palmer. ‘He’s looking to progress it, play it forward, play one-twos, he’s a progressive player.
‘I saw a stat about Kieran Trippier being our second most productive player, touches and passes. I’m thinking, how are we going to get Palmer into the team if that’s the case?
‘With how naturally left-sided Saka is, could you maybe put Saka at left back, put Palmer on the right? Simply because we need to get some balance and fluidity in the game.’
The Chelsea attacker had a breakthrough debut campaign where he bagged 22 goals and 11 assists in 33 league games and was honoured with Chelsea’s Player of the Year award.
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