Cole Palmer claims he is “ready” to lead England at Euro 2024, but he also says he “understands” why he hasn’t played much yet in the competition.
Prior to playing the last 30 minutes of England’s goalless draw with Slovenia, Palmer was not utilized as a substitute in the team’s opening two group matches against Serbia and Denmark.
Throughout England’s lackluster group stage performance, Palmer’s fan base grew, and many analysts think he should start Sunday’s match against Slovakia in the round of 16.
With 22 goals and 11 assists in an incredible first season at Chelsea, the 22-year-old was one of the Premier League’s shining lights the previous campaign.
Palmer is aware of the noise around his reduced role at the Euros but ‘understands’ why he is behind the likes of Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham in Southgate’s pecking order.
‘You can see on social media what fans think,’ the Stamford Bridge star said. ‘There’s loads of different teams people want to play, so it’s normal. It’s nice to see it but it’s not up to them, is it?
‘Personally I think I’m ready but it’s not up to me. I just wait for my time and when I get on I just try to do what I do. I was just excited to get on for 20 minutes and thought I was going to try to do something or make an impact.
I wouldn’t characterize myself as impatient since I recognize that this is my first tournament and that guys like Saka, Foden, and Bellingham are in a similar situation to me.
However, all I wanted was to move forward and attempt to impress. For Sunday’s match against Slovakia, Southgate is allegedly planning to make just one change to his team despite England’s shaky start at the Euros.
Slovakia progressed to the knockout stages as one of the best third-placed teams and will struggle to contain England, according to Three Lions legend Alan Shearer.
He told Betfair: ‘There’s only one prediction for me here: England. They will improve. They’ve got to start clicking into third and fourth gear now.
‘So England, without doubt. I can see it being a convincing win, I hope so. This is the time they’ll put their foot on the gas.
‘They’ll show a lot more energy, they’ll show a lot more confidence. This is where the tournament will start for England.’