Euro 2024: Gareth Southgate Calls Out Palmer's Achilles Heel
The pressure is on for England's young star, Cole Palmer, as Euro 2024 approaches. While he's got the skills to impress, England's manager, Gareth Southgate, has identified a crucial weakness that could hold him back.
Palmer's rise to prominence has been rapid. He's shown flashes of brilliance for Manchester City and the England U21s. But, according to Southgate, there's one area where Palmer needs to improve if he wants to become a key player for the senior team.
The Weakness: Decision Making
It's not a lack of talent or athleticism, but Palmer's decision-making that's under scrutiny. Southgate has observed that Palmer sometimes gets lost in the flow of the game, leading to poor passes and missed opportunities. "He's got the ability to find the right pass, but he's gotta trust his instincts and be decisive," said Southgate.
Examples from the Pitch
Let's take a look at a couple of examples of this decision-making struggle:
- Against Germany in the U21 Euros: Palmer received a brilliant pass from Curtis Jones, but hesitated to shoot. He ended up taking an extra touch, allowing the German defense to recover and block his shot.
- Against City's rivals, United: Palmer had a clear run at goal, but instead of shooting, he tried to square the ball to a teammate who was heavily marked. The pass was intercepted, and a golden opportunity was missed.
Time to Step Up
Southgate is a huge fan of Palmer's potential, but he's made it clear that the young player needs to step up his game. He needs to become more assertive on the pitch, trust his instincts, and make quick decisions.
Palmer has the talent and the drive, but he's got a lot of work to do if he wants to be a game-changer for England in Euro 2024. Let's see if he can overcome this crucial weakness and shine on the international stage.
Keywords: Euro 2024, England, Cole Palmer, Gareth Southgate, weakness, decision making, potential, U21s, international football, Manchester City, Premier League