Roy Keane explains why Gareth Southgate isn’t starting Cole Palmer for England at Euro 2024

Roy Keane discussing England at Euro 2024 (Picture: ITV)

Roy Keane has explained England boss Gareth Southgate’s reluctance to start Cole Palmer at Euro 2024 despite his sensational form for Chelsea.

Palmer’s first season at Stamford Bridge could not have gone any better, with the 22-year-old scoring 22 goals and making 11 assists in 33 Premier League games.

The forward was struggling to get minutes for Manchester City just 12 months ago but is now viewed as one of the best players in England, having been nominated for the Premier League player of the year award.

Despite enjoying a stunning season for Chelsea, Palmer only made one appearance during the European Championship group stage, coming on as a second-half substitute against Slovenia.

There were calls for Palmer to start the last-16 tie against Slovakia but he was once again benched and only introduced with half-an-hour remaining as the Three Lions chased an equaliser.

Keane expects Palmer to be benched for Saturday’s quarter-final against Switzerland and says Southgate sees the Chelsea star – and Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon – as ‘impact players’.

‘For the likes of Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon, it’s clear that Gareth Southgate sees them as impact players off the pitch,’ Keane said on The Overlap Special, brought to you by Sky Bet.

Chelsea’s Cole Palmer is yet to start for England (Picture: Getty)

‘I don’t know the stats for Euro 2024, but because it has been a long season for most of the players in the tournament, most players are having a big impact coming off the bench in the second half of matches, and that includes England with their late equaliser against Slovakia with Ivan Toney being involved.

‘I don’t see Gordon or Palmer starting against Switzerland because I think Southgate will be wanting to bring them on late in the game, especially if it’s a tight match.’

England are yet to produce their best form out in Germany but Keane says fans should not care if the team keep on winning.

Beating Switzerland – who knocked out European champions Italy last time out – would set up a semi-final clash with Turkey or the Netherlands.

‘People should stop complaining about the performances from England because they are still in the tournament and that’s the most important thing,’ ex-Manchester United captain Keane added.

‘Imagine if you were playing well and got knocked out the tournament, then the reaction would be worse.

‘England have brilliant attacking players who have got the team out of jail and that’s what I thought would happen before the tournament.

‘It’s been a while since the last time you thought England were playing well on a consistent basis, but that struggle is fine when you’ve got match-winning players in your side.

‘If England get to the semi-final or final playing ugly, no one will complain about it.’

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