Roy Keane Praises Cole Palmer After Impactful Performance for England at Euro 2024

Roy Keane has commended Cole Palmer on his impressive performance for England during their Euro 2024 group stage match against Slovenia. Keane suggested that Gareth Southgate will now face substantial pressure to include Palmer in the starting lineup for the upcoming knockout rounds.

The Three Lions‘ lackluster 0-0 draw against Slovenia saw Palmer make a significant impact after coming off the bench. This marked his first appearance at the tournament after being benched in previous games against Serbia and Denmark.

During the match, Southgate made crucial substitutions including Palmer and Kobbie Mainoo, with the young talents injecting energy and creativity into England’s play. Keane emphasized that Palmer’s fearlessness and ability to influence the game have raised the stakes for Southgate’s team selection.

Reflecting on his performance, Palmer expressed confidence in his abilities, highlighting his desire to seize the opportunity and contribute positively to the team. He credited Keane’s endorsement, acknowledging the veteran’s experience and support for his development.

Southgate, acknowledging the impact of Palmer and other young players, lauded their contributions off the bench. He emphasized the value of youth and praised the trio of Palmer, Mainoo, and Anthony Gordon for their impressive display against Slovenia.

In the post-match analysis, Southgate hinted at the possibility of including Palmer in the starting XI for the upcoming crucial fixture. The England manager praised the versatility and skills of Palmer and Mainoo, hinting at potential changes to the team lineup.

The upcoming last-16 tie for England, as Group C winners, poses a challenging yet promising opportunity against tough opponents such as the Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine, or Belgium.