"I will just try and stay positive" - Cole Palmer makes honest admission about lack of game time for England at Euro 2024
Chelsea star Cole Palmer recently shared his thoughts about his lack of game time for England in the ongoing UEFA Euro 2024. Palmer was benched for England's first two group-stage matches and featured as a substitute in their final group-stage fixture against Slovenia.
Palmer gave a positive and confident response while speaking on Chelsea's official website about his lack of game time.
"I’m still full of belief. After the season I’ve had, I don’t see any reason why I should be down. So I will just try and stay positive and when I get on the pitch, try to make an impact," the 22-year-old said.
Palmer said that he has been doing his best and also appreciated the other players on the team. He mentioned that he will give his best in supporting his teammates on the pitch.
"I just tried to play my game when I went on and I think I did that. I tried to create chances and be positive. There's great players everywhere in the team, so I'm just supporting whoever is on the pitch [when substitute] and when I get my chance I need to try and show what I can do," he added.
England had an underwhelming performance in the group stages although they topped Group F with five points. They won their opening match 1-0 against Serbia but drew their next two matches against Denmark (1-1) and Slovenia (0-0).
Palmer didn't feature in the starting line-up for any of the matches but came on as a substitute for Bukayo Saka against Slovenia in the 71st minute. It remains to be seen if Gareth Southgate will count on Palmer in the Round of 16 matches.
Ian Wright believes England should play Saka in the left-back to accomodate Palmer in Euro 2024
After England topped their group in Euro 2024, former Arsenal icon Ian Wright spoke to ITV about England's tactics in Euro 2024. He seemed determined to find a way to include Cole Palmer as a starter after his 19-minute cameo against Slovenia. He suggested that Bukayo Saka should instead be shifted from the attack to the backline as a left-back to play Palmer in the English right wing.
"As great as Saka has done in terms of what he creates and his goals and assists, he is a natural left-sided player. He started playing for England on the left at youth level, he started at Arsenal on the left. If that's going to give you the balance and gets you Cole Palmer in the team, it's something you have to at least look at," Wright said (via ITV Sport).
Wright also spoke about how Kyle Walker can also play as a left-back but stuck to his advice of playing Saka in the position over Kieran Trippier.
"Yes, Kyle Walker can play there [at left-back], it's the same situation where you have the player coming inside, you have no one going around. He's a natural left-footer Saka, we could activate the whole left side," he added.
Several other former players and pundits, including Roy Keane, have lauded Cole Palmer. England fans on the internet have also demanded that the Chelsea star be included in the starting line-up. We'll find out if Gareth Southgate takes the advice when the Three Lions face Slovakia in the Euro 2024 Round of 16 on Sunday, June 30 at Gelsenkirchen.