Cole Palmer can star for England at the World Cup, says Calum McFarlane

Chelsea interim head coach Calum McFarlane is confident that Cole Palmer can play a starring role for England at the World Cup despite enduring the most difficult season of his senior career.

The 23-year-old has seen his campaign badly impaired by injury which in turn has affected his ability to perform consistently when he has played.

That has led to questions surrounding the kind of influence he will be able to have for Thomas Tuchel’s side in North America this summer.

But stand-in boss McFarlane, who faces his first home game in charge against Nottingham Forest on Monday, thinks the playmaker will be able to put his struggles behind him to perform for his country.

“It’s been a difficult period for Cole,” said McFarlane. “He’s had his first injury that he’s never had in his career. He’s had to learn how to deal with that.

“I don’t agree with the narrative that he isn’t playing well. There’s obviously games where he can impact more, but there’s also been a lot of occasions where he’s created a lot of good chances for players. He can’t control whether that’s finished, he can just put the ball in the position.

“I do think he’s had some really good games in the last three months. It’s just a case of building that consistency.

“I’m really pleased with Cole. He showed us his talent every single day. His energy, his enthusiasm to play. He’s still a top, top player, one of the best in the world.

“I have no concern over Cole being ready to impact games from now until the end of the season and hopefully in the World Cup with big moments for England.”

He was however fit to appear in both of both of England’s friendlies during the most recent international break, the draw against Uruguay and the defeat to Japan, both at Wembley.

He is likely to be in competition with Morgan Rogers and Jude Bellingham for a starting place in Tuchel’s team at the World Cup.

Tuchel noted at the time that the former City youngster had appeared to have recovered his stride length after struggling for so long to recover from a groin problem.

Palmer is the only England men’s player to have scored a goal in a major tournament on foreign soil, with his effort to equalise in the 2-1 defeat to Spain at Euro 2024.

His only other goal came in a warm-up game for that tournament against Bosnia and Herzegovina.