Gareth Southgate Criticizes Cole Palmer Despite Scoring First England Goal
England manager Gareth Southgate offered mixed reviews of Chelsea star Cole Palmer’s performance in England’s 3-1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Despite Palmer scoring his first international goal, Southgate believes the young forward could have capitalized more on his opportunities.
Palmer’s Performance and Southgate’s Critique
Palmer, who was second only to Erling Haaland in last season’s Premier League scoring charts, was given a starting role in the No. 10 position at St James’ Park. His first half, along with England’s overall attacking effort, was lackluster. However, the game picked up in the second half, and Palmer’s perseverance paid off when he converted a penalty after a foul on Ezri Konsa.
Despite finding the net, Southgate critiqued Palmer for being too hesitant in front of goal. “I thought they both played with the freedom,” Southgate said of Palmer and Eberechi Eze. “A couple of times, Cole was being too precise and if he got his shots away earlier maybe he could’ve got a couple.”
Match Highlights
The game saw England dominate possession, with Bosnia failing to register a shot on target. Trent Alexander-Arnold added to the scoreline with a well-taken volley, and Harry Kane rounded off the scoring by bundling in England’s third goal. This win brings momentum as England heads into their final Euro 2024 warm-up match against Iceland.
Palmer’s Response and Future Prospects
After the match, Palmer expressed his delight at scoring his first goal for England. “It’s a great feeling, my first goal for my country. When it went in, it was buzzing,” Palmer said. On whether he has secured his spot in Southgate’s final 26-man squad for the Euros, he added, “Tonight wasn’t my best game, finding my feet on my first start but hopefully I’ve done enough.”
Southgate’s Final Decision Looms
Southgate is set to name his Euro 2024 squad by midnight on Friday, just two hours after the Iceland game at Wembley. The final list will be made public the following day, and with competition fierce, players like Palmer will be eagerly awaiting the decision.
While Cole Palmer showed promise by scoring his first international goal, Gareth Southgate’s criticism highlights the high standards and expectations within the England squad. As the Euro 2024 squad announcement approaches, players must continue to impress to secure their spots.
Gareth Southgate Criticizes Cole Palmer Despite Scoring First England Goal
