Soccer
Gareth Southgate’s stance on starting Cole Palmer explained by ex-Premier League legend
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England’s languid Euro 2024 performances have seen fans and pundits alike call for Gareth Southgate to make changes in Germany.
The Three Lions were able to win their group despite scoring only twice in their first three matches and needed extra time to dispatch Slovakia in the last-16.
Southgate’s side have not been clicking at the tournament which has led to calls for him to start some of his squad’s inexperienced, but talented, youngsters such as Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon.
Palmer, who netted 22 times for Chelsea in the Premier League this season has made two appearances off the bench in Germany, while Newcastle United winger Gordon has been on the pitch for a single minute at the tournament.
And according to former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland midfielder Roy Keane, that’s because Southgate sees the youngsters as ‘impact players’.
Speaking on Sky Bet’s The Overlap, Keane explained: “For the likes of Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon, it’s clear that Gareth Southgate sees them as impact players off the pitch.
“I don’t know the stats for Euro 2024, but because it has been a long season for most of the players in the tournament, most players are having a big impact coming off the bench in the second half of matches, and that includes England with their late equaliser against Slovakia with Ivan Toney being involved.
“I don’t see Gordon or Palmer starting against Switzerland because I think Southgate will be wanting to bring them on late in the game, especially if it’s a tight match.”
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