Micah Richards says Thomas Tuchel has a 'real big issue' to solve involving Chelsea's Cole Palmer for England
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Cole Palmer has established himself as one of the best players in the Premier League since joining Chelsea.
When Palmer made the £42m switch from Manchester City during the summer of 2023, many actually criticised the deal.
Fans across the Premier League couldn’t believe the sizable fee Chelsea outlaid on the then-unknown quantity.
But, the recruitment team at Stamford Bridge have been proved correct for the investment as Palmer continues to bang in the goals for Enzo Maresca’s side.
However, for all of his qualities, Micah Richards believes he could be facing a really difficult time ahead of him in an England shirt.
Micah Richards says Thomas Tuchel could struggle to fit Cole Palmer into his England side
Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, Micah Richards said that Thomas Tuchel may struggle to fit Palmer into his England side.
“He has some real big issues to sort in terms of personnel,” Richards explained.
“If you look at what Cole Palmer is doing week in, week out for Chelsea, he has got to play. Jude Bellingham has to play. Harry Kane we would all say he probably needs to play.
“But then you have Watkins itching, Saka. It's difficult. What we didn't give Southgate enough credit for at the time was having all these wonderful players and trying to fit them in because whoever he played someone is going to moan, why are they not playing?
“It's about getting that balance right and he has to go with the best balance for the team rather than just trying to get individual brilliance in.”
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Palmer simply has to start for England
Realistically, Palmer and Phil Foden will be competing for the same position in Tuchel’s England set-up, so their inclusion may just come down to who’s in better form at the time.
At the moment, it’s unquestionably Palmer, who has already registered 12 goal involvements in 13 outings this term.
| Stats | Cole Palmer | Phil Foden |
| Games | 13 | 14 |
| Goals | 7 | 3 |
| Assists | 3 | 2 |
Foden hasn’t reached the same heights as last season and with City faltering of late, it should be Palmer who gets the nod for the Three Lions.
