IAN LADYMAN: Phil Foden, Harry Kane and now Cole Palmer have all lost form for England… why does the shirt still look heavy for internationals
- Cole Palmer has begun the Premier League season with Chelsea in sensational form, scoring six goals and providing five assists.
- Despite his club success, Palmer struggled to make an impact during two international matches for England.
- The challenges faced by Palmer and other players like Harry Kane and Phil Foden highlight a significant issue for the England team, as the pressure of the national jersey seems to weigh heavily on them.
In October 2024, Cole Palmer, a Chelsea player, struggled to perform for the England national team during the international break, despite his impressive club form, where he scored six goals and provided five assists in just seven Premier League games. This issue is not isolated to Palmer; captain Harry Kane, who has scored ten goals for Bayern Munich this season, also appeared off the pace for England. Phil Foden, another talented player, has similarly failed to replicate his club success on the international stage. Football editor Ian Ladyman and former Premier League winner Chris Sutton discussed these challenges on the podcast 'It's All Kicking Off.' Ladyman highlighted that Palmer, despite his strong club performances, left little impact in two international matches, indicating a broader problem with players feeling the weight of the England shirt. Sutton cautioned against writing off Palmer too soon, emphasizing that it is early in his international career. The discussion points to a pressing issue for the England team, as the new manager will need to address why talented players struggle to perform under the national team's expectations, despite their success at club level.