Chelsea youngster Cole Palmer has been called up to the senior team for the first time, after shining in the Premier League this season.
During the training camp to prepare for the two Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia, coach Gareth Southgate called up three new names: Palmer (Chelsea), Rico Lewis (Man City) and Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa).
The standout among them is Palmer, who sealed a 4-4 draw for Chelsea against Man City in the Premier League last weekend. Palmer came through the Man City academy, playing 41 games for the Etihad team and scoring six goals. However, in the summer of 2023, he decided to move to Chelsea to get more starting time. After joining for $50 million, Palmer played 11 games and scored four goals, contributing four assists for his new club.
Palmer scored a successful penalty kick to help Chelsea draw 4-4 with Man City at Stamford Bridge on November 12. Photo: AP
The 21-year-old midfielder has also made 15 appearances for England's U21 side, scoring four goals. Palmer was a key part of the England side that won the European Under-21 Championship last summer, beating Spain in the final.
Palmer and Rico Lewis were called up to the national team partly due to the injury storm that has swept the "Three Lions". Attacking midfielder James Maddison cannot join the squad this time, while Jude Bellingham is still named despite not being in the best physical condition.
Lewis is only 18, but has played 10 games in all competitions for Man City this season. Konsa has been instrumental in Aston Villa's fifth-place finish in the Premier League. The 26-year-old will join Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Harry Maguire (Man Utd) and Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan) in competing for a starting spot in the England centre-back squad.
Up front, Raheem Sterling has yet to be called back into the national team, despite his recent form. The Chelsea striker has only played 150 minutes for the Three Lions in the past 12 months. On the wings, coach Southgate still prioritizes Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Buyako Saka, Marcus Rashford or Jarrod Bowen.
England have secured their place at Euro 2024. In Group C of the qualifying round, Southgate's team will host Malta at Wembley Stadium on November 17, before visiting North Macedonia three days later.
England squad list November
Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)
Defenders: Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Rico Lewis (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Al-Ettifaq), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
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