ENGLAND interim boss Lee Carsley has suggested that Cole Palmer could play at left-back for the Three Lions.
Carsley, 50, yesterday named his squad for upcoming Nations League matches against Greece and Finand.
Upon the announcement, Carsley was quizzed over the squad’s lack of left-back options.
The Three Lions are without an out-and-out left-back – with Luke Shaw still injured.
Ben Chilwell, who did not go to Euro 2024, was also left out having played just 45 minutes for Chelsea under Enzo Maresca this season.
Rico Lewis and Levi Colwill have both been included, having acted as makeshift left-backs in recent England games.
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Carsley, however, surprisingly identified Palmer as a further potential option in the problem position – as well as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Bukayo Saka.
He said: “[Alexander-Arnold] can play there. Bukayo can play there, Cole can play there, so there’s quite a few.
“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.
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“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 enjoyed a blistering start to the Premier League season.
Primarily from his favoured No10 position, the former Manchester City starlet has scored six goals and laid on four assists in six outings so far this term.
In his most recent match, Palmer produced a stunning four-goal performance as Chelsea beat Brighton 4-2 at Stamford Bridge.
Despite also enjoying a productive campaign last time out, Palmer did not start a single game at Euro 2024.
He equalised in the final against Spain, having replaced Kobbie Mainoo in the 70th minute as the Three Lions chased the contest.
As per Transfermarkt, Palmer has never played at left-back in his entire club career, even dating back to Under-18 level at City.
‘WHY NOT JUST PICK A LEFT-BACK?’
Following Carsley’s comments, fans had plenty to say.
One wrote on social media: “What in the FIFA career mode is this?…”
While a second asked: “Why not just pick a left back?”
A third fumed: “This would make me extremely angry and i’m no Chelsea fan. Why would you waste a talent like that at left back?”
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Another added: “You build the team around your best player. Thought Lee Carsley was the man for the job, but after hearing that I’m extremely uncertain.”
England host Greece at Wembley next Thursday, before a trip to Helsinki to face Finland the following Sunday.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
