If you’ve been watching England at the Euros this summer… well, we feel sorry for you. If you support them, we feel even more sorry for you.
The Three Lions have played out 3 of the most dull group games imaginable, and now face a Sunday afternoon game which looks like it could be another stinker, with a tired and uninspired group under Gareth Southgate facing off against another team prepared to sit deep and defender.
The coach desperately needs to inject some creativity, and for that reason the clamour to play Cole Palmer has reached a new crescendo. On the Overlap podcast, Gary Neville set out his stall, claiming that Southgate “just has” to play the Chelsea attacker who had such a productive season, and even shone in a cameo in England’s last game.
“I think I would probably bring him (Palmer) in for Saka, and I love Saka to bits,” Neville said.
“I love Saka, but I honestly think Palmer just has to be given a game. I think he has to be given. I don’t know. Just something tells me. The way he played for 20 minutes the other night, he deserves it I think. He may come off the bench, Gareth may stick with what he has got… Great player Saka, so I have no problem with it, but I feel Palmer needs to play now.”
The obvious move to make
There was not going to be much disagreement. After three dire games in a row, everyone can agree we need changes, and what change is more obvious than bringing in one of the stars of the Premier League season, who is fit and motivated and ready to go.
Southgate is naturally cautious, but surely even he will see the light here. This can’t continue, and Super Cole is waiting in the wings for his moment.
