Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has praised Cole Palmer for the attacking intent he showed when he came off the bench in England’s goalless draw with Slovenia on Tuesday evening.
England had already qualified for the last 16 before the game kicked off, but the point ensured they finished top of Group C.
It was another largely uninspiring performance from the Three Lions, but Palmer was a shining light as he impressed from the bench.
Postecoglou impressed by Palmer
Despite having a brilliant season for Chelsea and starting both of England’s warm-up games before the Euros, Palmer has had to bide his time in Germany.
The 22-year-old was completely overlooked by Gareth Southgate for the opening two games, and he was once again named on the bench against Slovenia.
However, with England labouring Palmer was finally given his chance as he replaced Bukayo Saka with twenty minutes remaining.
Palmer instantly lifted England as he looked to get on the ball and injected some much needed urgency into proceedings.
The versatile forward was trying to make things happen and he looked a real threat, and could have won it late on with a chance you probably would have expected him to put away.
Spurs boss Postecoglou, who was covering the game for British television was really impressed with Palmer’s impact and the attacking intent he showed.
“Every time he’s got the ball he’s looking to eliminate opposition, whether that’s individual players or lines of the opposition,” he told ITV.
“Every one of his incursions takes somebody out of the game.
“When you have a player like that, irrespective of how the opposition is set up in a defensive sense, he will always find that gap and find those spaces.
“His first thought is how can I eliminate one of the opposition or line of the opposition.
“Those kind of players are rare.”
There is now a clamour for Palmer to start in the last 16 on Sunday given the impact he’s had, and it’s something Chelsea fans have seen all season.
It’s great to see Palmer getting wider recognition for his performances, and he has certainly given Gareth Southgate a headache.
