Interim boss Lee Carsley has suggested Chelsea star Cole Palmer could play in a shock position for England.
Palmer, who scored an impressive 25 goals across all competitions last season, has already bagged six goals this campaign, having netted four goals in his side’s win over Brighton.
He’s on course to enjoy another ultra-prolific campaign as Jamie Carragher made a bold claim about the 22-year-old on Monday Night Football.
Palmer is expected to play a big part for England following his club form, with Carsley considering playing him out of position to solve a problem.
The 50-year-old named his latest squad for upcoming Nations League fixtures this month.
But he failed to name a specialist left-back, with fans calling for an in-form Premier League player to be included amid Luke Shaw’s absence.
However, Palmer could slot in at left-back, according to Carsley, who also name-checked Trent Alexander-Arnold and Bukayo Saka.
“[Alexander-Arnold] can play there. Bukayo can play there, Cole can play there, so there’s quite a few,” he said when asked about the left-back situation.
“Obviously you want to get the best out of them in their most natural positions. We know if we play a right-footed player there, at left-back, that we’re going to have to build differently and be creative in the way we set up.”
Cole Palmer in action for Chelsea. Image: Getty
Carsley added: “I think if you’re asking a right-footed player to play high and wide and playing too high and wide, it can sometimes be a little bit predictable.
“It’s important that we aren’t predictable, that we’ve got different ways of attacking.
“I think with the players we’ve got we can also swap the players over the wide players so they are on their natural sides just to give the opposition something different to think about.”
Palmer has primarily played in an attacking position in his career and has been employed in a No.10 role under Enzo Maresca.
But the Blues forward could find himself at left-back when he represents England.
Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Cole Palmer, Chelsea, England, Football, Lee Carsley