Cole Palmer’s four goals in Chelsea’s thumping 6-0 win over Everton notably excited England fans ahead of Euro 2024.
The young Chelsea star’s fantastic form has deservedly placed in him contention for a place on the plane to the Euros this summer, with many citing his 29 goal contributions in the Premier League this season – the most in the division – as a reason for Palmer to earning a starting jersey at the tournament.
However with England’s current golden generation being rather top heavy, how would he fit into the starting XI?
We at 90min have taken a look (you’re welcome Gareth Southgate)…
Bellingham – Rice
Saka – Palmer – Foden
Kane
The lineup you’ve seen doing the rounds on social media, and the lineup which (on paper at least) looks pretty damn good.
With this set-up, Southgate would be able to get most of the Three Lions’ attacking stars onto the pitch and keep critics who have regularly called him out for being ‘too negative’.
In appeasing his critics however, Southgate would in turn leave his defence completely high and dry.
Declan Rice would be the only midfield shield in front of a likely partnership of Harry Maguire and John Stones at the back – and considering the fact that one of those centre-backs is Harry Maguire, that probably isn’t enough.
Alexander-Arnold – Rice
Palmer – Bellingham – Foden
Kane
So in order to some defensive solidity and also get Palmer into the starting XI, does Southgate have to drop someone?
The answer: yes, obviously.
Who that player that should be sacrificed isn’t as obvious though.
Harry Kane, the England captain and a forward who has scored 39 goals in all competitions this season, definitely won’t be the player who is sacrificed. And it’s hard to imagine that Jude Bellingham – the best player in Spain this season – or Phil Foden – the best player in England this season – will be dropped either.
So, by process of elimination, that leaves Bukayo Saka as the forward who’d have to be dropped.
Arsenal’s ‘Starboy’ is undoubtedly one of the best players in the Premier League but, if we’re being brutal here (which we are), Saka’s recent form doesn’t hold a candle to Palmer’s.
In his last six games, Saka has bagged two goal contributions.
In the same period, Palmer has managed a fairly ridiculous 14.
Based on that, right now, we have to give the nod to Palmer.
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