Roy Keane singles out ‘unpredictable’ England star who ‘has X-factor’ and always makes things happen’
MANCHESTER UNITED legend Roy Keane heaped praise on Cole Palmer following his 20-minute England cameo against Slovenia.
The Three Lions played out a drab 0-0 draw against Matjaz Kek’s side on Tuesday.
They somehow went on to win Group C with five points, but failed to impress with each performance.
However, Palmer gave fans something to smile about when he was introduced in the 71st minute.
The Chelsea star provided a much-needed spark in attack, attempting some clever passes and dynamic runs.
And Keane believes he could give England a huge boost in the knockout stages.
The former Man Utd star said: “I think [Kobbie] Mainoo looked very comfortable out there. The one I’m always excited to watch is [Cole] Palmer, he always has that x-factor.
“I know we were wondering why he didn’t come on in that first or second game, but every time he gets the ball it looks like something is going to happen.
“There was certainly a bit more flow to their game the last 15 or 20 minutes. There was still no end product and they didn’t really test the keeper, but there were one or two positives with the clean sheet.
“They need to show more quality in the attacking areas, but I do love Palmer, I think he’s amazing…
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England player ratings: Southgate's Gallagher experiment fails miserably vs Slovenia
ENGLAND served up another underwhelming performance – but still managed to top Group C.
England dominated the ball, but Southgate will have plenty of questions to answer after a third straight display that lacked inspiration.
SunSport’s Tom Barclay has given his ratings of the England players.
Jordan Pickford – 6
Largely a spectator due to England’s dominance on the ball. Asked the touchline what the Denmark score was during one break in the second half.
Kieran Trippier – 6
The one positive of having a right-footed player playing left-back is that he can dispatch in-swinging crosses, and one such one should have been headed home by Conor Gallagher before the break.
Marc Guehi – 7
Cruyff turn early doors showed his confidence from excellent displays against Serbia and Denmark, and barring one loose pass was good again.
John Stones – 6
One of many to miss his target with his passing. He wasn’t bad but, like others, way off what he has produced for his club.
Kyle Walker – 5
Played so safe, rarely looked to get forward. Was lucky at one point that Pickford was alive to his blast of a pass-back. Sliced cross after break summed up his off-night.
Conor Gallagher – 4
Got the nod after the Trent Alexander-Arnold midfield experiment ended, but was poor, particularly, in possession and replaced at half-time by Kobbie Mainoo.
Declan Rice – 7
Had promised an “in your face” performance from his team, but he was really the only one to produce it. Very good out of possession, much better than against Denmark.
Phil Foden – 7
Liveliest of England’s attacking four by a mile and went close with a stinging free-kick. Booked for dissent, summing up England’s frustration.
Jude Bellingham – 5
Cut a very frustrated figure as he and Harry Kane got in each other’s way at times, while he was often shunted wide left as Phil Foden moved into the middle.
Bukayo Saka – 6
Tapped home on 20 minutes, but it was ruled out for offside in the build-up. OK but once again subbed after the break, perhaps due to fitness concerns.
Harry Kane – 6
Insists he is 100 per cent fit and maybe he is. What is 100 per cent certain is that he has been nowhere near as effective in this tournament as he usually is for England, albeit he was marginally better here.
Substitutes
Kobbie Mainoo (for Gallagher at half-time) – 7
Made a difference when coming on, making England much more positive in their play. So much more confident with his touch than Gallagher.
Cole Palmer (for Bukayo Saka on 71) – 7
Finally made an appearance at this tournament and one clever ball through for Mainoo showed what he can do.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Kieran Trippier on 84) – 6
Came on for the final few minutes at right-back, with Walker going to left-back.
Anthony Gordon (for Phil Foden on 88) – 6
Like Palmer, first minutes at the Euros, but too late to make an impact.
“Would you want to mark Palmer? You wouldn’t want to play against him. He’s so unpredictable, he can beat a man, go left or right. A lot of brilliant players affect the game, when he came on, you knew he was going to affect the game.
“Every time he got it, we were looking at him. I’m hard to impress and I’m thinking ‘something is going to happen’. Every time he gets the ball you think something is going to happen…
“He will think he should be in that starting XI. He won’t think ‘I’m learning and I’m glad to be here’. He will be looking at Gareth, like the big personalities do, thinking ‘get me out there’.”
England are set to play in the round-of-16 on Sunday at 5pm BST.
