Chelsea forward Cole Palmer has been awarded the England Men’s Player of the Year for the 2023-24 season, as announced by the English Football Association on Tuesday.
At just 22 years old, Palmer outperformed Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham and Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, who came in second and third place, respectively, in the voting conducted among England supporters.
Palmer made an immediate impact on the national team after his debut in November 2023, scoring in his first start against Bosnia and Herzegovina in May of this year.
Although he didn’t start any matches during the Euro 2024 tournament, Palmer contributed significantly by scoring England’s only goal in their 2-1 defeat to Spain in the final. He also provided the assist for Ollie Watkins’ decisive goal in the semifinal against the Netherlands.
In addition to his national team success, the former Manchester City player has excelled at the club level, netting 22 goals in the Premier League last season and scoring six times in his first seven appearances this campaign.
Currently, Palmer is preparing with the England squad for UEFA Nations League matches, facing Greece at Wembley on Thursday and then travelling to Finland three days later.
England captain Harry Kane was absent from Tuesday’s training session, opting for an individualised workout indoors after sustaining a right leg injury during a 3-3 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt over the weekend. Fortunately, the club has confirmed that he does not have a structural injury.
Should Kane be unable to play, Tottenham striker Dominic Solanke may get his chance, having waited seven years since his last appearance for England. Solanke has been included in interim manager Lee Carsley’s squad for the upcoming matches in October.
“I think over the years, when I do see it [the shirt], I’ve always thought, ‘When I get back there and win more caps for my country…'” said Solanke, whose England debut in 2017 was a friendly against Brazil. “Having something like that on the wall is definitely extra motivation.
“I didn’t think it wouldn’t come around,” he added after England’s training session on Tuesday at St. George’s Park. “[I had to] just keep playing well and scoring goals, and I always believed that I would get back here. That was my mindset. I’m thankful to be back here now, and hopefully I can stay here.”