Paul Scholes picks which player he’d start for England… Cole Palmer or Bukayo Saka

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Paul Scholes has just shared whether he’d prefer Chelsea’s Cole Palmer or Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka starting in the current England line-up.

While everyone’s focus is back on the return of club football for the new Premier League season, it’s only a month ago since England lost to Spain in the final of Euro 2024.

Chelsea star Cole Palmer, 22, actually scored in the final despite ending up on the losing side. On the flip side, club teammate Marc Cucurella was a key player for the Spanish as they won another international tournament.

Remarkably, Palmer didn’t start any of England’s seven matches at the summer competition. Writing in his blog, Richard Keys was baffled by Palmer’s game time at the Euros.

• READ MORE: Cole Palmer makes statement after Euro 2024 heartbreak, Benoit Badiashile sends three-word response

Paul Scholes picks between Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka

England great Paul Scholes has suggested there may only be room for one of Palmer or Saka in the Three Lions line-up.

As it stands, Scholes admits he would start Palmer on the right wing for England over Saka.

He said on The Overlap: “I think he (Palmer) was brilliant last year, I think that is plain to see. He was Chelsea’s by far and away best player. I would like to have seen him play a lot more in the summer.”

Jamie Carragher responded: “I think it’s a problem for any England manager, because you have Saka who likes to play on the left, I think [Phil] Foden’s best position is almost on the right cutting in, Cole Palmer is the same. How does the new England manager fix that?”

Scholes then added: “Eventually you are going to have to choose one over the other. I think he is better coming in from that right hand side. I think at some point you have to choose and I think if you are choosing now, on this day, Cole Palmer has to be in front of Saka.”

Lee Carsley will have the same problem

Lee Carsley has stepped in as interim England manager to replace Gareth Southgate, and he’ll have the exact same problem when the nation play two games in September.

In fairness, 22-year-old Arsenal winger Saka is a superstar in his own right, performing at such a high level for club and country for many years now. He scored 20 goals and made 14 assists for the Gunners last season across all competitions.

However, England surely have to find a way to get Palmer into the team moving forward, whether that’s on the right wing or more centrally.

Hopefully, Palmer’s international career will take care of itself in time. For now, his focus must be on a strong second season in Chelsea colours, where the spotlight is certainly fixed on him.