December 13th 2024.
Chelsea's rising star, Cole Palmer, is expected to play a crucial role in Thomas Tuchel's plans for the England team. Tuchel himself has nothing but praise for the talented player, but he remains tight-lipped when asked if Palmer could potentially become the best player in the world.
Recently appointed as the new England head coach, Tuchel was present at the draw for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The Three Lions were placed in Group K alongside Serbia, Albania, Latvia, and Andorra, making next year's tournament even more highly anticipated.
Taking charge on January 1, Tuchel will be looking to build momentum in the coming months with a squad of players who are being tipped for success in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. With an undefeated record against all four opponents, England is the clear favorite to top their group.
Palmer, who scored England's only goal in their Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain, has continued to impress at the club level with Chelsea this season. He has already netted 11 goals and provided six assists in the Premier League. It is no surprise that he is expected to play a key role in Tuchel's plans for the World Cup, with some fans and pundits even claiming he should be considered as one of the best players in the world based on his current form.
However, when asked about this, Tuchel remains modest and chooses not to single out individual players. "That's a bit too far, going into individual players," he told Sky Sports after the draw was made. "But he is definitely in great form, and hopefully, he can continue to grow and maintain this level. Everyone enjoys watching him. He is cool, composed, and very clinical in both finishing and assisting."
The spotlight has been on England captain Harry Kane, who received heavy criticism during the Euro 2024 campaign. Some have even suggested that he should be replaced by Ollie Watkins. However, Tuchel has no plans to consider other options at the moment. "There is no need to look at other options right now," he stated. "I admire Kane for his quality, leadership, and character. Ultimately, it is up to the players to earn their spot in the team. I am fortunate to have a group of players with strong personalities, and our job is to build the best team possible that people will be excited to watch."
Moving on to England's upcoming opponents, Tuchel expressed his respect for Serbia and Albania. He believes that they have the potential to surprise with their technical and emotional style of play, along with having two well-known former players as coaches. As for Latvia, Tuchel acknowledges that England has never faced them before, making it a new experience for everyone.
Despite being the clear favorites in their group, Tuchel stresses the importance of taking every opponent seriously and with respect. "We are the favorites, and we have to qualify," he said. "This is where our focus should be, and we must make it happen before we can start dreaming about the World Cup. Let's approach it with seriousness and respect, and then we can start dreaming."
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