Photo by Eric Alonso - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Photo by Eric Alonso - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Former Premier League manager Alan Pardew has spoken about Chelsea and England star Cole Palmer on a couple of occasions during this international break.
Palmer has not been with Thomas Tuchel’s England squad as the attacking midfielder continues to recover from a groin injury.
Tuchel recently warned Palmer and the Three Lions’ other No.10s that not all of them can go to next year’s World Cup.
However, even if he does go, Pardew is not expecting a starting role for the Chelsea man.
Thomas Tuchel and Cole Palmer speaking during an England training session.
Photo by Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Alan Pardew doesn’t think Thomas Tuchel will include Cole Palmer in his England attack
On talkSPORT, Pardew shared the starting XI that he thinks Tuchel will pick at the World Cup.
The ex-Newcastle United boss predicted Tuchel to field an attack consisting of Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Harry Kane.
The dynamic between Tuchel and Jude Bellingham does not appear to be the healthiest right now, but Pardew also expects the Real Madrid superstar to play in some sort of midfield role at next summer’s tournament.
The above would leave no room for Palmer, who only has one international break left to prove himself before the World Cup.
Darren Bent has also discussed Palmer’s situation with England, claiming that the 23-year-old is about to give Tuchel an “impossible” decision to make.
England star Cole Palmer dribbling against Andorra in a World Cup qualifier.
Photo by Eric Alonso – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Alan Pardew wants to see Cole Palmer in England’s starting XI
Last week, Pardew made his own England first XI, sharing the team that he wanted to see at the World Cup.
Pardew’s England side did include Palmer, with the 64-year-old keen for the former Manchester City man to start on the left.
He said: “My midfield three for the World Cup, at the moment, would be [Declan] Rice, Bellingham, [Morgan] Rogers… and then Palmer playing the left side when he hopefully comes back and he’s fresh and he’s really looking good to come and play the left side of the pitch and come in as a No.10 as well.”
While there will be doubts surrounding Palmer’s place heading into the competition, one Chelsea player looks nailed on to start for England.
James will be expected to play at right-back as he continues to impress under Tuchel, whom he already knew after working with the German at Stamford Bridge during his spell as Chelsea boss. The Blues captain just needs to stay fit between now and then.