Marc Cucurella has admitted it would be much better for him if Cole Palmer stays on the bench and doesn’t play in Sunday’s Euro 2024 final.
Cucurella and his Spain team-mates are preparing for their first major final in 12 years, and they will take on England in the showpiece event in Berlin.
The 25-year-old has taken his end of season form onto the international stage and has not only been brilliant for Spain, he’s been one of the standout performers at the tournament.
Cucurella hopes Palmer stays on the bench
Cucurella could come up against Palmer and Conor Gallagher in the final as Spain look to win their first major tournament since Euro 2012.
Palmer has had to be patient in Germany, but after being overlooked completely for the first two group games, he has featured from the bench in England’s subsequent four games, scoring in the penalty shootout victory against Switzerland and setting up Ollie Watkins’ last minute winner against the Netherlands.
Cucurella knows the quality Palmer possesses having come up against him in training every day for Chelsea and seeing it on the pitch, with the 22-year-old being named Premier League Young Player of the Year last season.
Speaking in the build up to the final Cucurella admitted he had been in contact with Palmer and would prefer it he stayed on the bench in Sunday’s final.
“I spoke with him, but it was over a week ago, we talked for a while in the previous rounds,” Cucurella told Mundo Deportivo.
“For me, it’s much better if he doesn’t play and stays on the bench.”
Cucurella is set to start the final, whilst Palmer barring any last minute injuries will be on the bench, but it’s highly likely Gareth Southgate will turn to him at some point during the game.
Whatever happens Chelsea will have a European Champion amongst their ranks next season and that experience of winning will be invaluable.
