Lee Carsley has said Cole Palmer’s ability to remain grounded has helped the Chelsea midfielder emerge as one of the Premier League’s best talents.
Palmer was named PFA Young Player of the Year in 2023/24 and has started the new Premier League campaign in fine form for Chelsea.
The 22-year-old has six goals and four assists from six league appearances and became the first player in the league’s history to score four first-half goals in a game against Brighton last weekend.
Carsley will reunite with Palmer with England later this month after naming him in his squad to face Greece and Finland in the UEFA Nations League.
The England interim boss knows Palmer well from the u-21 set-up and said the youngster’s ability to take ‘every challenge in his stride’ separates him from the rest.
“Knowing Cole for a number of years, seeing how he has progressed, he takes every challenge in his stride. He doesn’t get too high or low, that’s a great attribute to have as a professional footballer,” Carsley said at a press conference to announce October’s squad.
“There were a lot of players who were close. It would have been easy to name a 40-man squad, but the challenge is making sure we pick a competitive squad and one where we can win the two games.”
Carsley admits it is a challenge to play Bellingham, Palmer and Foden
Carsley was asked how he plans to fit England’s attacking talent into one team, with Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden also returning after missing September’s squad through injury.
“Like all the players, it’s a challenge with the squad we have. We always look at finding the right balance, who compliments who, in the way that we play. We don’t get too caught up in positions, it’s more the attributes, the way we take on the opposition.
“All three (Palmer, Bellingham and Foden) are excellent players along with the rest of the squad.”
