Paul Merson believes Cole Palmer could soon encounter the same problems for England that Jude Bellingham has suffered.
Palmer is currently with the England squad as they prepare for games against Greece and Finland in the Nations League, and is looking to add to his nine caps.
The 22-year-old was named England Player of the Year earlier this week, but is yet to nail down a regular spot in the starting line-up.
Merson’s England warning for Palmer
Palmer has made a brilliant start to the season and has six goals and five assists in the first seven games, and is currently one of the best players in the world.
His role for Chelsea is clear but it’s less so for England given the immense talent in his preferred number ten position and despite having a brilliant season last time out he didn’t start a single game for the Three Lions at Euro 2024.
The way Palmer is playing he simply has to be in the England team but the challenge facing Lee Carsley is how to fit him in and who misses out.
Former England international Merson believes Palmer will soon encounter the same issues Bellingham has had as opposition teams will try and single him out to minimise his threat.
“Playing at number ten is going to be hard, international football’s a lot different. When you start playing against the big boys, the international big boys, people look out for you,” Merson told Sky Sports.
“The one thing that you get in the Premier League now is no one ever goes man-to-man with anyone, really. No one ever goes: ‘Stop Palmer playing. Stop Palmer, we’ll stop Chelsea.’
“On the international side, he’ll be alright at the moment. Bellingham’s got the reputation, not Palmer. He catches international teams cold, not so much Ireland but other teams won’t have played against him to know what he’s like.
“Bellingham goes across to Spain and scores 17 in 20 games. Then in the second half of the season, clubs wise up to it that he’s going to make late runs into the box. They’ve nipped that in the bud now, he doesn’t score a goal, now he’s got to think of something else.
“The same thing will happen to Palmer, but while he’s hot you play these players. You have to. If you can’t find a space for him now, I don’t see him playing for England. He can’t get any more consistent.”
