Cole Palmer made his England senior debut last night as a late substitute.
It was a very flat game, as the Three Lions struggled to a 2-0 win over Malta, but it will be a day that Palmer never forgets.
It’s a just reward for his astonishing rise to prominence over the last few months. His goal in the UEFA Super Cup against Sevilla for Man City looked like it might be what finally kick started his career at the Etihad after years of impatience. Instead, it was more of a farewell present, and he subsequently has gone from strength to strength at Chelsea, breaking into the team and now securing an England place.
We can’t remember many occasions where a player’s self confidence and belief in their ability has reaped such rapid and massive rewards. At this rate, there’s no way he won’t be heading to the Euros next summer, and with James Maddison out injured, he even has a chance to make a starting place his own.
It’s ambitious – but Palmer has shown he’s not afraid of a little ambition.
