Cole Palmer’s exclusion from England’s World Cup squad has already come back to bite Thomas Tuchel in the eyes of Rio Ferdinand.
The shock omission of Cole Palmer from England’s World Cup squad remains one of the most debated decisions ahead of the tournament. Manager Thomas Tuchel ruthlessly left the Chelsea talisman out of his 26-man squad, pointing to his personality and a dip in his usual untouchable form.
In Palmer’s absence, the fierce battle for the coveted number ten role has transformed into a two-horse race between Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers.
Rogers has fast become a favorite under Tuchel, starting a majority of England’s matches leading into the tournament after a stellar season. While Bellingham has looked impressive in the two warm-up matches as we head into the World Cup starting.
However, Rio Ferdinand thinks Palmer should still be there.
Anthony Gordon starred for England against Costa Rica but is no longer an option for Chelsea. Which left winger should we now sign? 🤔
Rio Ferdinand says Cole Palmer has that ‘me’ factor
While speaking on Rio Presents, Rio Ferdinand believes that Palmer has that ‘me’ factor that is currently missing in the England squad right now.
“The best teams have something different. There’s something different that comes to the party that separates you from other teams and that is either ability and it’s a me or it’s a me and a ‘me’ mentality.
“Cole Palmer is that guy. He can he’s already shown that this is what I’m saying. This player we’re talking about isn’t the player that was going to start the tournament for England. He was the player that was going to hopefully provide a moment. Cole Palmer has shown that he can do that in the biggest of stages. He done it in the Euro final.”
PREDICTION: Which Chelsea player do you think will have the BEST World Cup?👀
Mamadou Sarr is being slept on…
Rio Ferdinand is absolutely spot on
Rio Ferdinand hits the nail on the head with his assessment of this current England squad.
While Thomas Tuchel’s side is packed with world-class, functional talent, it lacks that singular, arrogant “me factor”. A player who can single-handedly take a game by the scruff of the neck through sheer individual brilliance and self-belief.
Without a chaotic, unpredictable match-winner capable of producing magic out of absolutely nothing, England risk missing out when things get tough in crunch moments.
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