England’s X-factor has ‘hill to climb’ – will Palmer go to World Cup?

While Thomas Tuchel was pondering his World Cup squad for 58 minutes, Cole Palmer served up mouthwatering food for thought at Stamford Bridge.

In the aftermath of Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Everton last Saturday, the England head coach watched as Palmer delivered the kind of elite moment that earned him a spot in the Fifa Best men’s XI when it was announced on Tuesday.

It was Palmer’s classic “Clothing.”

After 21 minutes, Chelsea broke down against Everton when Palmer feinted and deceived Jordan Pickford to send a left-foot finish as the country’s keeper turned the other.

Last weekend, Palmer played for 58 minutes for Tuchel. The catch is that Palmer hasn’t seen much more of him in his capacity as England’s head coach since June’s World Cup qualifier victory over Andorra. He only played 64 minutes.

With his first goal in a Premier League game since September, Palmer was only making his fourth start since September due to a persistent groin problem against Everton. Additionally, Tuchel has a wider range of options for the number 10 role in his absence.

With his choice in that Fifa Best poll, Tuchel may have revealed what his future thinking will be, with Palmer and Ousmane Dembele as the top choice, followed by England’s Harry Kane and Ousmane Dembele as the winner.

With his creativity and goal threat, Palmer, who has scored 39 goals and contributed 19 assists for Chelsea, would be in the forefront of Tuchel’s minds.

However, he hasn’t played 290 Premier League games this year.

Palmer put on a big-stage performance at Euro 2024, scoring both Ollie Watkins’ late winner against the Netherlands and England’s superb equalizer in the 2-1 final defeat by Spain.

Instead, he has injured him and dropped down the pecking order in England. Phil Foden, Eberechi Eze, and Morgan Gibbs-White are also staking claims to Morgan Rogers, who has flourished and threatened Jude Bellingham’s starting spot.

Tuchel has stated in his squad that he will not select five number 10 players, adding: “I don’t see how this will help us.”

Palmer’s groin injury is a possibility because Chelsea are still managing him, which means that he won’t likely play one game per week until March when England face Uruguay and Japan in their final friendlies before Tuchel selects his World Cup squad.

He has missed the previous three camps. Tuchel hasn’t felt for him or what he can do. He is seriously out of time.

It’s a “no” more than a “yes” percentage, in my opinion. Will he still have the opportunity to play for Chelsea if he returns to be the lead man?

Pat Nevin, a former winger for Scotland and Chelsea, said: “He has plenty of time. In a strange way, this might favor him.

If Tuchel notices him in excellent form in the middle and end of the season, looking fit and playing well, he won’t care about anything but that.

Even if Palmer is fit, he must find a way to get past the intense competition Tuchel has created in his preferred position, with even Bellingham’s place in question since he was cut short of being selected for a recent squad.

Rogers, who is currently third in the Premier League, has scored five goals in 16 starts for Tuchel, earning the nickname “The Wildcard,” boosting his confidence and boosting his club-level success.

Rogers “has really placed the cat among the pigeons in that position,” says Upson. He is now appearing frequently with significant events and objectives.

Perhaps Palmer didn’t anticipate this coming, maybe he didn’t realize it six months ago. Rogers has done a great job, making Bellingham’s place a regular conversation point.

Rogers has played 531 minutes and allowed one goal in six of Tuchel’s ten games. Kane, Pickford, Declan Rice, and Ezri Konsa are the only players to have played for the German in more minutes.

“I believe this squad could be the healthiest possible outcome,” she said. It would have been at 10 if you had asked me to pick a position where someone could throw a marker from the wilderness for the World Cup starting position.

Nevin is unconcerned.

“I would start Cole Palmer if he was fit, ahead of Bellingham,” I said. Bellingham is a very good player, but I would choose Palmer if he was fit if I wanted a team dynamic that worked together and there might be bias.

I said it during Euro 2024. Bellingham did score goals, but they didn’t actually play well. “I would have chosen Palmer,” I thought.

Upson refutes the notion that Palmer played wide in the roles.

As was demonstrated at Euro 2024, Palmer’s languid style conceals a pressure-proof temperament.

According to Upson, “One of his biggest assets is not thinking,” which is not to say that this is a derogatory remark. He simply acts in his own accord. He won’t be sturdier.

In the Euro 2024 final, we witnessed the most perfect illustration. England will have to contend with high pressure at some point during the World Cup, and he does it all naturally, which is very powerful.

In that regard, I’m not sure if Palmer is any better than Palmer.

Nevin insists that Palmer’s perceived casual style shouldn’t be taken advantage of.

He claims that there are “many different ways to play football.” You may not be fully engaged if the veins on your forehead don’t permanently pop out or you don’t shake your fist for 90 minutes. You can still be extremely competitive and cool.

“He appears to be moving along, but consider his impact and his numbers.

Cole Palmer “has a little bit of everything,” he says. He has incredible dribbling prowess. When there isn’t much room left, he creates more space by playing in tight spaces surrounded by two or three players.

Palmer is “world class” at his best, in my opinion. If everything else were the same, I would be very tempted to start him in my squad.