‘It would be daft’ – Thomas Tuchel told to build England team around Chelsea star | Football
Thomas Tuchel has been told it would be daft not to make Chelsea star Cole Palmer the focal point of his new-look England team.
The German was appointed as Gareth Southgate’s full-time successor in October last year but officially began his new job at the start of January.
And the former Bayern Munich and Chelsea boss has already been pictured in the stands at various Premier League matches as he considers the makeup of his first squad for the March international break.
Tuchel has solid foundations to build on given Southgate’s achievements in the last two Euros and Lee Carsley’s interim spell which saw several debutants blooded into the senior set-up.
The 51-year-old will no doubt be keen to put his own spin on the Three Lions side as they gear up for next year’s World Cup but Chris Waddle has urged the German to consider Chelsea forward Palmer at the forefront of his plans.
Having burst through at Stamford Bridge last season, Palmer catapulted himself into England’s plans for Euro 2024 but was largely reduced to minutes off the bench throughout the tournament in Germany.
But after another superb start to the season, which has seen him notch up 13 goals and six assists in 20 appearances, Palmer has now established himself as one of England’s most prodigious current talents.
And while Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden often wrestled for minutes in the number ten role under Southgate, Waddle believes that Palmer has now made himself first-choice for that role.
‘Cole Palmer always catches the eye,’ the former England international told Prime Casino. ‘He’s a great creative player. People forget the creative part of the game is the hardest part of football.
‘I think Cole Palmer has been absolutely outstanding for Chelsea. He’s got so much ability, and he scores goals.’
Focusing on England, Waddle added: ‘I think if Thomas Tuchel doesn’t build a team around him – people can argue and say we’ve got Bellingham – but if you don’t build a team around Cole Palmer that would be daft.
‘I think he is the best way forward for us if we want to go out and try and win a tournament.
‘Bellingham’s a very good player, but you’ve got to give Cole Palmer the license for England that he has at Chelsea. You’ve got to build a team around him.
‘England are blessed in the midfield. With Palmer, the way he plays and the way he sees things. He sees a pass more than any other player we’ve got. It would be daft not to build a team around him.’
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