- Cole Palmer was part of the England squad that reached the final of Euro 2024
- But the Chelsea star did not start in any of England’s matches at the tournament
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Chelsea star Cole Palmer admitted his first major tournament with England was tough.
Palmer ended last season as arguably the fittest player in the Premier League, after a run of 12 goals in 11 games.
His scoring streak won him Chelsea’s Player of the Year award and earned him a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024.
However, Palmer was not selected to start in any of England’s seven matches at the European Championship, despite impressing as a substitute on five occasions.
Highlights of the tournament for the 22-year-old included a successful penalty in the shoot-out win over Switzerland, his assist for Ollie Watkins in England’s winning goal in the semi-final against the Netherlands and then a fine goal in the defeat to champions Spain.
Cole Palmer scores for England against Spain in the Euro 2024 final in Germany
All five of Palmer’s European Championship appearances under Gareth Southgate (right) were as substitute
But in an interview with Sky Sport This week, Palmer described his overall tournament experience as “difficult.”
When asked for further explanation, Palmer replied: ‘[It was difficult because I was] not playing. You go to a new group, you have guys who have been there for a number of years.
‘Of course, as a new young player, all the guys took me on to be honest, like all the other young players. So it was quite easy to get used to it, but of course not playing and thinking to yourself, “Why?” and just asking yourself.’
After his interviewer suggested that Palmer was one of several excellent options for England’s attacking midfielder at the European Championship, the Chelsea star continued: ‘I didn’t question my own ability because I knew what I had done during the season.
“But you just think, ‘Why?’ you know what I mean? But I just thought, once it’s my turn, I’m just going to try to make an impact and do something.”
Palmer recently signed a new nine-year contract with Chelsea.
Palmer has been pictured this week signing his new nine-year contract with Chelsea
Palmer played in Chelsea’s final friendly of the summer on Sunday – a 1-1 draw with Internazionale
Palmer will be back in domestic action on Sunday when Chelsea open their new Premier League season with a welcome home to champions Manchester City.
Chelsea signed Palmer from Man City last summer and he has played against his former club three times in the 2023-24 season, including a 4-4 draw in November when he scored an injury-time equaliser.