According to Metro, Roy Keane has provided insights into Gareth Southgate's decisions regarding Cole Palmer's role in England's Euro 2024 campaign, despite the Chelsea forward's impressive season.
Palmer, who shone brightly with 22 goals and 11 assists in his debut season at Stamford Bridge, has been a key figure in discussions due to his limited starting opportunities under Southgate.
Despite his standout performances for Chelsea, Palmer saw minimal action during the Euro 2024 group stage, appearing only once as a substitute against Slovenia. Calls for Palmer to start in the last-16 match against Slovakia went unheeded, with Southgate preferring to deploy him from the bench as England pursued an equalizer.
Looking ahead to England's quarter-final clash against Switzerland, Keane anticipates Palmer will once again begin on the sidelines. According to Keane, Southgate views Palmer, along with Anthony Gordon of Newcastle United, as impactful substitutes rather than starting XI regulars.
Keane shared his perspective on The Overlap Special, sponsored by Sky Bet, stating, "For the likes of Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon, it’s clear that Gareth Southgate sees them as impact players off the bench." Keane acknowledged the demanding season endured by many players at Euro 2024, suggesting that late-game substitutions have been pivotal across the tournament.
Reflecting on England's overall performance in Germany, Keane emphasized the importance of results over style. Despite criticisms about England's gameplay, Keane stressed, "People should stop complaining about the performances from England because they are still in the tournament and that’s the most important thing." He underscored the significance of advancing in the competition, noting that winning matches ultimately outweighs aesthetic considerations.
Looking forward, England faces a tough challenge against Switzerland, who eliminated European champions Italy in the previous round. Keane expressed confidence that England's array of attacking talents can navigate them through tight contests, potentially setting up a semi-final showdown with Turkey or the Netherlands.
Keane concluded with a pragmatic view, "If England get to the semi-final or final playing ugly, no one will complain about it." His comments reflect the belief that achieving results supersedes all other criticisms, especially in high-stakes international competitions like Euro 2024.