Chris Sutton urges England to make 'ruthless' change involving Chelsea star for Euro 2024 clash against Slovenia
Ex-Chelsea striker Chris Sutton has urged England manager Gareth Southgate to start Cole Palmer in their UEFA Euro 2024 match against Slovenia in Cologne this Tuesday (June 25).
The Three Lions, who lost on penalties to Italy in the Euro 2020 final, are currently atop Group C of the ongoing Euro 2024 with four points from two games. However, their displays have been quite sub-par and has received a lot of scrutiny from fans and pundits alike.
Speaking exclusively to Metro, Sutton claimed that Southgate should be merciless with his team selection in the upcoming Euro 2024 clash against Slovenia. The ex-England international said:
"He's got to be ruthless now, hasn't he because things haven't been working. I think I was very excited before the tournament by the attacking players England had at their disposal, but they haven't clicked as they should have done. A lot of people are talking about off-the-ball but on-the-ball in the final third, it hasn't been as productive, as slick and the combinations haven't been there."
Asserting that Chelsea's Palmer should be handed a start, he added:
"One thing which I have found quite baffling is the omission of Cole Palmer. I think given the season he had at Chelsea, it's quite baffling for him not to have been given any game time in the opening two games."
Sutton, who represented the Blues 39 times in his career, concluded:
"I would play [Declan] Rice alongside Jude Bellingham because he can be a six or an eight or a 10 and I would find a way to get Cole Palmer into the team. If we're searching for that bit more creativity, then he's the perfect player to provide it."
Since joining Chelsea from Manchester in a £45 million deal, Palmer has recorded 25 goals and 15 assists in 45 total games for his club.
Chelsea enquire about Euro 2024 star
As per Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Chelsea have approached TSG Hoffenheim to know about Maximilian Beier's availability. A host of Premier League clubs are also keen to sign the Germany international, who has a release clause in the region of £25 million.
Beier, 21, relished a breakout campaign at Hoffenheim, contributing 16 goals and three assists in 33 Bundesliga outings in the 2023-24 term.
The right-footed forward is currently representing Germany at the Euro 2024 and appeared as a substitute in a 1-1 draw against Switzerland.