Cole Palmer’s honest reaction to getting called up to the England senior team has emerged online, and it makes for great viewing.
The talented midfielder couldn’t believe that he had been selected for the first time, even thinking that it was a joke at first.
The 21-year-old has had quite the rise in the last few months since leaving Manchester City for Premier League rivals Chelsea. Even before he made the move to the English capital, he had been starting to show fans exactly what he was capable of, leading the England U21 team to European Championship glory, then scoring in the Community Shield match for Pep Guardiola’s side, and then bagging another goal in the UEFA Super Cup fixture against Sevilla.
Those performances and many others were enough to convince Chelsea that they needed him in their team. Mauricio Pochettino’s sideshelled out £40m for the talented youngster, hoping that he could help boost them back into the race for Champions League qualification.
Palmer’s efforts at Chelsea so far
And what a signing he has proven to be. The Blues are still not in a race for a top-four spot, currently languishing in 10th place, but there are plenty of things to be optimistic about – one of those being Palmer.
Despite his age, Chelsea’s summer recruit has already become one of the club’s key players, scoring four goals while also registering two assists in the league. That only tells half the story, though, with him scoring in big matches, most recently against his former club City, as he slotted away a penalty in added time before producing a cold celebration.
There has been no shortage of praise from ex-pros and pundits either.Alan Shearer labelled him “magnificent”after Sunday’s game, while Pochettino told Chelsea’s media channelsthat the maestro’s contributions so far had been “amazing”after the match.
“He’s still a young kid but it’s amazing what he’s giving to the team. I’m happy and I’m happy for the team because we needed a player like him.”
Palmer’s reaction to being called up to the England squad
Palmer’s performances had not gone unnoticed by England chief, Gareth Southgate. Following injuries to James Maddison, Lewis Dunk, and Callum Wilson, the Three Lions manager proceeded to call him up for the senior team’s upcoming European Qualifiers, as well as his former City teammate, Rico Lewis.
Both of the youngsters had been lined up to play for the under-21 side in their matches against Serbia and Northern Ireland, but each of them will be delighted to be in line for their first senior cap. Well, in Palmer’s case, both delighted and shocked.
A video of the Chelsea man joining up with his teammates was shared by England on X. A familiar face was there to greet him, with Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher embracing both Lewis and his club teammate.
Gallagher proceeded to express his surprise about Palmer’s selection, stating: “I didn’t realise you were called up?” Palmer himself then also shared his shock, revealing that he’d got the call right after the match against Man City.
In fact, he didn’t even believe that it had happened. He told Gallagher that he thought the call was, “a blag at first,” which made Gallagher chuckle off-camera. It was only after a second inspection that the call-up looked real. Check out the video for yourselves below.
Video: Palmer retells his reaction to England call-up
“I thought it was a blag at first!”
Definitely real, Cole 😂 pic.twitter.com/MOTMiBzDl7
— England (@England) November 14, 2023
Palmer might not have believed it at first, but after his recent performances, it is no less than he deserves. There is every chance that he will win his first England cap in their two upcoming games.
Southgate’s squad face Malta on Friday 17th November, before playing their final qualifier against North Macedonia on Monday 20th November. The Three Lions might have already qualified for Euro 2024, but they will be hoping to end qualification without a defeat on their record.