Football News: Cole Palmer Limited to Cameo Roles at Euro 2024
England’s wealth of attacking options has meant that some players, including Cole Palmer and Eberechi Eze, have been limited to substitute appearances at the ongoing Euro 2024 tournament. Manager Gareth Southgate has opted to stick with his tried and tested starting XI, featuring the likes of Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Bukayo Saka.
While Bellingham has made some significant contributions despite some subdued performances, Saka has been excellent in the quarter-final clash against Switzerland. However, Foden has struggled to translate his club form onto the international stage, prompting former England midfielder Chris Waddle to call on Southgate to give others a chance ahead of the semi-final match against the Netherlands.
Waddle believes that players like Palmer and Eze should be given more minutes when the scores are level, as the team has looked better with their creativity on the pitch. He feels that Southgate has “sacrificed creativity for discipline” in the midfield, and that a better balance can be found to blend steel and hard work with technical ability.
On the topic of Harry Kane’s struggles at the tournament, Waddle has urged the striker to stay higher up the pitch and be more of a presence in the penalty area, rather than dropping deep to receive the ball, which has made it easier for opposition teams to defend against England.
As the Three Lions prepare for their semi-final clash, the team will be looking to evoke the spirit of their famous thrashing of the Netherlands at Euro 96, as former England defender Gary Neville has called on Southgate and his squad to do.
๐ Source