Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer isn’t with England’s first squad under Thomas Tuchel due to injury, but he must be watching on wondering where he fits into the plans.
Cole Palmer, 22, has proven since his move to Chelsea he’s one of the very best players in the Premier League. The attacking midfielder’s record of 39 goals and 21 assists in 78 Blues appearances speaks for itself.
For the first time in the Premier League this season, Palmer was absent for last weekend’s 1-0 defeat away to Arsenal.
The Blues star was named in the first-ever England squad selected by Thomas Tuchel for March’s international break, but he’s missing the two World Cup qualifiers because of injury. Thankfully, Palmer’s injury scan was positive, so Chelsea fans will hope he’s fit to play straight after the break.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Carlton Cole tips Cole Palmer for huge England success under Thomas Tuchel
TalkSPORT pundit and former Chelsea player Carlton Cole has predicted that Palmer will thrive in Tuchel’s England XI when he’s available for selection.
“Cole Palmer, I’m excited for him to work under Tuchel. I think he’ll be really, really good. He’s got character through his football,” Cole told talkSPORT.
The Tuchel reign with England kickstarted on Friday night with a 2-0 win over Albania at Wembley Stadium. While it was important to start with a victory, there are definitely areas the German coach will need to improve, including some of the attack.
Speaking back in December, Tuchel waxed lyrical about Palmer and his quality in a Chelsea shirt.
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We’ll have to wait and see whether he gets into the Three Lions XI moving forward, but we don’t think he should be too concerned by what he saw from rivals such as Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford versus Albania.
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
Cole Palmer underused by England so far
Even though Palmer scored a superb goal in the final of Euro 2024, it does feel like his England career is still in its infancy. In fact, he’s only got 11 caps to his name so far.
The Chelsea playmaker hasn’t got close to establishing a spot in England’s XI yet, but he’s got all the individual talent to do just that.
Competition Fixture Minutes played Goals Assists
European qualifier England 2-0 Malta 29 0 0
European qualifier North Macedonia 1-1 England 6 0 0
European qualifier England 3-0 Bosnia 61 1 0
European qualifier England 0-1 Iceland 77 0 0
Euro 2024 England 0-0 Slovenia 19 0 0
Euro 2024 England 2-1 Slovakia 54 0 0
Euro 2024 England (6-4 pens) Switzerland 42 0 0
Euro 2024 Netherlands 1-2 England 10 0 1
Euro 2024 Spain 2-1 England 20 1 0
Nations League England 1-2 Greece 90 0 0
Nations League Finland 1-3 England 69 0 0
Cole Palmer’s senior England career via Transfermarkt
We’d argue that he didn’t play enough under former England boss Gareth Southgate. In particular, it was mind-blowing he didn’t start a single match at the Euros last year.
This fresh start under Tuchel, albeit it’s been delayed, could be just what he needs to really kickstart his international career.