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Cole Palmer Frustrated By Lack Of Game Time At Euro 2024
England Star Urges Teammates To Use Final Defeat As Motivation For World Cup Glory
Chelsea Midfielder Admits He Was Desperate To Make More Of An Impact At Tournament
Cole Palmer has admitted he found his experience at Euro 2024 frustrating due to the lack of game time he was given for England during the tournament.
The 22-year-old scored England's equaliser in the final against Spain but could do nothing to prevent the Three Lions' heartbreaking 2-1 defeat.
Palmer started just one game for England at the tournament, with the majority of his appearances coming from the bench.
The Chelsea midfielder admits he was desperate to make more of an impact on the team, but understands the manager's decision to leave him out of the starting XI.
“It was frustrating not to play as much as I would have liked at the Euros,” Palmer said.
“But I understand the manager's decision and I'm just grateful for the opportunity to have been involved in such a special tournament.”
Palmer believes England can use the disappointment of losing the final as motivation to go one step further at the World Cup in 2026.
“We were so close to winning the Euros, but it just wasn't meant to be,” Palmer said.
“But we have a young and talented squad and I'm confident we can achieve something special in the future.”
Palmer's comments come after England manager Gareth Southgate admitted he was “disappointed” not to have given the midfielder more game time at the Euros.
“Cole is a very talented player and I know he was frustrated not to play more,” Southgate said.
“But I had to make decisions based on what I thought was best for the team and I believe I made the right calls.”
Palmer will now be hoping to impress Southgate ahead of the World Cup in 2026.
The midfielder has been in impressive form for Chelsea this season, scoring four goals in 10 appearances.
If he can continue to perform at a high level, he will be difficult to ignore for Southgate when it comes to selecting his squad for the World Cup.