Cole Palmer recently shared his thoughts on his limited playing time with England at Euro 2024, despite a fantastic season with Chelsea. Palmer, who had an impressive club campaign, found himself mostly on the bench in the initial stages of the tournament.

After being left out of the first two matches, Palmer finally got his chance in the 71st minute against Slovenia. England manager Gareth Southgate brought him on to replace Bukayo Saka. This marked Palmer's first appearance in a major international competition for England. The young midfielder made an immediate impact, achieving a 100% passing accuracy and creating England's best scoring opportunity, which forced a crucial save from Slovenia's goalkeeper Jan Oblak during stoppage time.

Cole Palmer's optimism despite limited playtime for England

Despite being mostly overlooked during the group stage, Palmer remains optimistic about his role in the team. “I'm still full of belief,” Palmer stated confidently. “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's introduction came at a challenging moment, with England struggling to break through Slovenia's defense. However, the 21-year-old midfielder stayed focused. “I just tried to play my game when I went on and I think I did that,” he explained. “I tried to create chances and be positive. There are great players everywhere in the team, so I'm just supporting whoever is on the pitch and when I get my chance I need to try and show what I can do.”

Looking ahead, England will face one of the best third-placed teams in the next round. This match presents a significant opportunity for Palmer to further showcase his talents. “Our goal was to qualify and finish top of the group and we've done that. But we know there are levels we can go up and hopefully we can show that,” said Palmer.

Palmer also acknowledged the difficulty of every match in the tournament. “All the games in the tournament are difficult as you can see, no matter who it is. So we know we need to move up through those performance levels and hopefully we can do that.”

Palmer’s optimism is not without reason. His stellar performances at Chelsea, where he scored 27 goals and provided 15 assists in 48 appearances, earned him recognition and a call-up to the national team. His success at the club level has sparked growing calls for him to start in the knockout stages. His creativity and energy could be crucial for England's success as they advance in the tournament.

Pressure on Gareth Southgate and Cole Palmer's potential impact

The pressure is now on Southgate to consider starting Palmer in the next game. With England aiming to progress further in the competition, Palmer’s ability to make an impact could be key. Fans and pundits alike are eager to see if Southgate will give the young star a chance to shine on the bigger stage.

Palmer’s inclusion in the starting lineup could add a new dimension to England’s attack. His vision, passing accuracy, and ability to create chances make him a valuable asset. If given more playing time, he could be the spark that England needs to break down tough defenses and score crucial goals.

Palmer's Euro 2024 journey with England has been a mix of challenges and optimism. His limited minutes on the pitch have shown his potential and ability to influence the game. As England prepares for the knockout stages, Palmer's role could become even more critical, and many are hopeful that he will get the opportunity to make a significant impact. His positive attitude and determination, combined with his talent, make him a player to watch in the upcoming matches. England's success in the tournament may well depend on unlocking Palmer's full potential.