Gareth Southgate’s unwavering faith in Cole Palmer, despite the forward’s absence from recent matches against Brazil and Belgium, has injected newfound hope into Palmer’s chances of securing a spot in England’s final squad for Euro 2024.
Palmer, who has been displaying impressive form, earned his England debut in November and was once again called up by Southgate for the recent friendlies at Wembley. Although Palmer missed out on game time due to a minor injury, his potential has not gone unnoticed by Southgate.
While other players like Jarrod Bowen and Anthony Gordon have showcased their talents and expanded Southgate’s attacking options, Palmer remains firmly in the manager’s thoughts. Leading the Premier League in both goals scored and assists this year, Palmer’s performance speaks volumes about his capabilities on the field.
Despite missing crucial training sessions and being unable to feature against Belgium, Palmer’s inclusion remains a possibility, especially given the stiff competition in England’s wide areas. The likes of Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish, established regulars, face the looming threat of exclusion from the Euros squad due to the emergence of players like Palmer.
Rashford’s limited playing time against Brazil and Grealish’s absence from the squad due to injury underscore the unpredictability surrounding squad selection. With Southgate keeping a keen eye on Palmer’s progress, the final squad announcement promises to be a tense and intriguing affair as England weighs its options for the upcoming tournament.
