'I don't see': Paul Merson shares what's now worrying him about Chelsea's Cole Palmer ahead of tonight
10/10/2024 10:17 AM
Chelsea star Cole Palmer has been in red-hot form over the past 12 months, making a real name for himself as the Blues’ talisman.
The 22-year-old enjoyed a great maiden season at Stamford Bridge following his move from Manchester City in 2023, bagging 27 goals and 15 assists.
And this season, Palmer has very much picked up from where he left off, with six goals and five assists from seven Premier League outings.
Palmer also won the England Player of the Year award earlier this week, despite not getting much game time for the Three Lions since his debut last November.
Now, Paul Merson has shared what’s concerning him about the Chelsea ace ahead of England’s upcoming Nations League fixtures.
Paul Merson stresses Chelsea’s Cole Palmer must start for England
Merson, writing on Sky Sports, believes interim manager Lee Carsley must pick Palmer in his starting XI for their games against Greece and Finland.
“He’s got to be in the team though,” Merson said, noting how difficult it could be to have Palmer and Jude Bellingham in the same line-up. “He’s got to be, he’s bang in form.
“I’m a great believer in playing people who are in form; not all the time, or you don’t get a team.
“International football’s different, but he’s bang in form, on top of his game, and for me he’s got to play.”
The Arsenal legend also noted how Bellingham has been sussed out by opponents who now know all about his style of play, and the same will happen to Palmer.
However, Merson says Palmer’s current form means he can’t be omitted, and if space can’t be found for him now, Merson worries about his England future.
“Bellingham goes across to Spain and scores 17 in 20 games,” continued Merson.
“Then in the second half of the season, clubs wise up to it that he’s going to make late runs into the box. They’ve nipped that in the bud now, he doesn’t score a goal – now he’s got to think of something else.
“The same thing will happen to Palmer, but while he’s hot you play these players. You have to. If you can’t find a space for him now, I don’t see him playing for England. He can’t get any more consistent.”
Lee Carsley expected to start Cole Palmer v Greece
Hopefully Merson’s concerns won’t come true. According to talkSPORT, it looks as though his wish will be granted.
TalkSPORT claim that Carsley is ready to unleash the newly crowned England Player of the Year from the off in the meeting with Greece at Wembley.
Palmer only made his debut for the Three Lions in November last year, in the 2-0 win against Malta at Wembley.
He has represented his country nine times, starting twice, with five of those appearances coming at Euro 2024, where he scored in the final against Spain.