England Manager Gareth Southgate explains why Cole Palmer did not play during international break.

Gareth Southgate recently addressed Cole Palmer’s absence from play during the international break, asserting that despite not featuring against Brazil or Belgium, Palmer remains a contender for the final squad, thereby boosting his chances for Euro 2024 selection.

Palmer, who has been in good form, made his England debut in November and was called up again for the recent friendlies at Wembley. Although sidelined due to a minor injury for the Brazil match and not fielded against Belgium, Palmer’s competition in the attack has intensified with impressive performances from Jarrod Bowen and Anthony Gordon.

Despite missing playing time, Palmer’s prolific scoring and assisting in the Premier League have kept him on Southgate’s radar. Southgate emphasized the competition for wide positions in the squad, acknowledging Palmer’s potential contribution despite his absence against Belgium due to injury. The emergence of players like Bowen and Gordon, alongside the established talents like Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish, highlights the tough decisions ahead for Southgate in finalizing his squad for the Euros, where even regulars like Rashford could see limited playing time, and injuries, as with Grealish, could impact squad selection.

Moreover, Southgate’s unwavering faith in Palmer’s abilities has injected renewed hope into the player’s aspirations for Euro 2024 inclusion. Despite Palmer’s sidelined status during the recent friendlies, his standout performances in the Premier League, leading in both goals scored and assists, underline his potential significance to the England squad. Southgate’s remarks underscore the intense competition for positions, particularly in the wide areas, where players like Bowen and Gordon are making compelling cases for selection.

The absence of established stars like Rashford and Grealish from significant playing time further emphasizes the depth of talent available to Southgate as he navigates through the selection process.

As the Euro tournament looms, Southgate faces the daunting task of balancing form, fitness, and experience in crafting a squad capable of competing at the highest level.