Cole Palmer reveals brutally honest stance on England minutes and Gareth Southgate at Euro 2024

Cole Palmer has insisted he’s ‘still full of belief’ despite a difficult Euro 2024 group stage campaign for England. The 22-year-old midfielder debuted for the Three Lions at the tournament on Tuesday evening, featuring off the bench in a goalless draw with Slovenia.

He was an unused substitute in England’s opening pair of Euro 2024 ties, with Bukayo Saka and Jarrod Bowen preferred on the right wing. Then, in the Three Lions’ final group stage match, Palmer was finally given the chance to impress in the second half against Slovenia .

He enjoyed a brilliant cameo at the RheinEnergieStadion, with Ian Wright suggesting that Saka should play left-back to accommodate the Chelsea maestro. The Arsenal legend said:

“As great as Saka has done for England 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.

“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 .”

Despite playing only 19 minutes for England at Euro 2024 so far, Palmer remains confident he can lead his country to glory. Speaking to Chelsea’s official website, the Blues ace said:

“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.”

Palmer added: “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.”

Palmer will be hoping to keep his place in Gareth Southgate’s side when England face Slovakia in the round of 16 on Sunday evening. The Three Lions boss has been heavily scrutinised recently after some uninspiring results so far at Euro 2024.