Cole Palmer sends clear message to Gareth Southgate and picks ideal England role

04 July 2024 , 08:34

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Cole Palmer sends clear message to Gareth Southgate and picks ideal England role

Cole Palmer has been an impact substitute in both of England’s last two matches but the Chelsea star is desperate to be a starter - and also finish the game if it goes to penalties

Ice-cold Cole Palmer admits the pressure of taking a spot-kick in a major shootout will be at a different level to what he normally feels.

And the Chelsea star has clearly thought about the prospect of being one of Gareth Southgate’s go-to players if the quarter-final showdown with Switzerland goes to penalties. 

Palmer, who scored nine times in nine attempts from the spot in the Premier League last season, explained to BBC Radio 5 Live: “It is so different. I was talking about this the other day with someone. Everything. When you know you are going to take a penalty (in a shootout), you start thinking.

“And then there is the coin toss and everything. You have to stand there and watch everyone else take it, the pressure builds up and up and up. In a game, if you miss there is still time to do something, to score.

“Once you miss in a shootout, there isn’t time to redeem yourself. If you miss and everyone scores, it’s all your fault. It’s just more pressure.”

Not that Palmer will shy away from taking responsibility if he needs to. “I’d be nominated on the pitch and wouldn’t have a choice but would take one,” he said. “I’ve only taken two penalties in shootouts and missed one in the Youth Cup but I was a baby.” 

Southgate has plenty of penalty specialists at his disposal and would almost certainly try and make sure Palmer and Ivan Toney are on the pitch if it comes down to a shootout. And Palmer is a big admirer of the Brentford striker’s famed penalty prowess.

James Smith