Olaleye Idowu
Chelsea attacker, Cole Palmer, has opened up on his frustration with the England national team.
The player was unhappy, especially for the fact his efforts were not acknowledged by then handlers of the Three Lions.
Palmer did not make a single start for England at the Euro 2024 tournament, appearing five times as a substitute in Germany.
The 22-year-old, who joined Chelsea from Manchester City in 2023, ended the season as the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season and the Chelsea Player of the Year before he was called up to the England squad for the tournament.
However, Gareth Southgate, who was the coach, opted to trust other players ahead of Palmer, leading him to feel frustrated on the sidelines.
Palmer spoke with GQ about his experience at the time, stating that he felt like he had to be playing, particularly after the season he had.
He said, “It was frustrating in England, to be fair. Not to say that the players aren’t good.
“But just coming off the back of the season I had, the form I was in, everything I was doing was coming off, so I’m not playing in the first two games even when the team was struggling, it was a bit like, ‘why?’ Do you know what I mean?
“If you bring me on [in] the third game and I don’t do anything, then I can’t really say anything.
“I just had to try and force my way in. I remember Watkins coming on [in the final], and I was thinking, why not me?”
