Cole Palmer
**
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer has made a compelling case for inclusion in England’s World Cup squad following a standout performance against Wolves. The young forward’s hat-trick in Chelsea’s 3-1 victory has sparked renewed interest in his potential role in Gareth Southgate’s plans for the summer tournament. After a challenging start to the season marred by injury, Palmer’s recent form could be pivotal in securing his spot on the plane to the World Cup.
John Cross said: “He was a substitute at Arsenal and was brought on to be the cavalry at the Emirates – but then did not deliver. He had one big chance – a free kick – which he put over. Chelsea’s game plan was to stay in the game and then look for their match winners to do the business late on. He didn’t. Then four days later, he scored a hat-trick at Wolves and looked a million dollars.”
John Cross added: “If he stays fit and also plays and gets minutes, then he is hard to resist. Especially when you consider he was so influential – albeit as a substitute – in the last Euros. It’s a big call but it may be a straight choice between Foden and Palmer.”
Palmer’s recent performance against Wolves has certainly caught the eye, particularly as he continues to regain full fitness. This resurgence comes at a time when fellow England hopeful Phil Foden is struggling to secure a starting position at Manchester City. Foden’s recent form has been rated at 6/10 by Cross, who noted that Foden has been overshadowed by teammates like Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki at City. This opens the door for Palmer to potentially edge out Foden for a spot in the England squad.
John Cross commented on Foden: “This is the bigger worry. He has been eased out by Antoine Semenyo. When City needed something extra, they brought on Rayan Cherki. That has to be a worry.”
In addition to Palmer, Trevoh Chalobah’s consistent performances for Chelsea have also been noted. Chalobah’s solid display against Arsenal earned him a 7/10 rating, highlighting his maturity and leadership in defense. This form could see him make a late push for England selection, though competition remains fierce with players like Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa.
John Cross remarked on Chalobah: “He was solid in the middle of a back three – definitely a back five – at Arsenal and showed good maturity, leadership and strength.”
Conversely, Liam Delap’s prospects for making the England squad appear slim. Despite his move to Chelsea last summer, Delap has struggled to make a significant impact, earning him a modest 4/10 rating from Cross. Unless Delap can turn his form around dramatically, his chances of joining the England setup remain unlikely.
John Cross on Delap: “His chances were always slim – and they are fading fast. Maybe one for the future.”
As the World Cup approaches, the performances of these Chelsea players will be closely monitored, with Palmer’s recent heroics placing him firmly in the spotlight.
About The Author
