England starlet Bukayo Saka’s starting position could be at risk from up-and-comer Cole Palmer, according to former Arsenal ace Alan Smith.
Saka, instrumental in Arsenal’s successes this season with an impressive tally of 18 goals and 13 assists across all games, shone again in Tuesday’s standoff with Bayern Munich, adding to his recent goal against Brighton. However, competition is heating up for a spot in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024, with Chelsea’s breakout star Palmer stating his case.
Since moving from Manchester City to Stamford Bridge last summer, the 21-year-old dynamo has become a staple for Chelsea, contributing a significant 19 goals and often single-handedly winning matches. His performances earned him his first call-up to the senior England team last November. Now, Smith argues that Saka should be wary of Palmer’s ascendancy in the ranks, reports the Mirror.
Cole Palmer has to get into that England squad and if he’s going to play then it needs to be on that right hand side that’s where he’s done all his good work for Chelsea where he comes in onto his left foot,” Smith said while speaking with instantcasino.com
He’s had an outstanding season for an otherwise disappointing Chelsea side. Palmer is definitely a threat to Bukayo Saka, but I think that’s helpful to someone like Bukayo it pushes him on. I think it’s great to have players being pushed by equally as talented lads.
“We’ll see how he responds to it. I’d love to see Phil Foden in the number 10 position with Jude Bellingham coming from a slightly deeper role, so we’ll see what Gareth Southgate does with all these players, but what a choice to have.
While Palmer has been tipped to challenge Saka for his spot this summer, the Chelsea youngster didn’t get a look-in during England’s latest fixtures, remaining an unused substitute in both the loss to Brazil and the stalemate against Belgium. Saka, on the other hand, was sidelined due to injury for those matches but has since made a return to full fitness. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is confident in Saka’s ability to be pivotal in their title chase.
“I’m super positive, I think he’s going to fly and be so decisive. Because he’s so strong, and how much he wants it. When you talk to him and how excited he is about what is coming, he wants to be there,” Arteta said ahead of the Brighton clash.
“He’s getting better and better and it’s normal to have little niggles. You have kicks and he’s gone through a lot of that in the last two or three years and now look at the way he’s performing.”
