“Wasted in a deep role” – National media blast 22-years-old Chelsea player after his England vs Greece performance

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England Stunned by Historic 2-1 Loss to Greece

England faced a shocking 2-1 defeat against Greece last night, marking the first time in history the national team has lost to the Greek side.

Manager Lee Carsley’s lineup featured a strong Chelsea influence, but the tactical decisions left many scratching their heads, with players deployed in unfamiliar positions.

Cole Palmer’s Unfamiliar Role

One of the most puzzling moves was seeing Cole Palmer, a player known for his attacking brilliance, positioned as a defensive midfielder. For anyone who has followed Palmer’s rise at Chelsea, this felt completely out of place.

Although he had a chance to score in the first half, which he’ll no doubt regret missing, Palmer struggled to make the kind of impact that he has for his club this season. His usual spark was absent, as his deep role limited his effectiveness in attack.

Colwill’s Heroics and Madueke’s Energy Not Enough

Despite the disappointing performance, there were moments of hope for England. Levi Colwill made an extraordinary goal-line clearance, and Noni Madueke brought a burst of energy when he came off the bench. Unfortunately, their efforts weren’t enough to salvage even a single point, with Greece sealing the victory in added time.

Harsh Media Criticism of Palmer

The English media did not mince words in their assessment of Cole Palmer’s performance.

TalkSPORT bluntly said, “He missed a sitter, deeper than a submarine, just no, faded badly. 3/10.”
The Guardian criticized the decision to play him in a deep role, noting, “Wasted in a deep role. Why make him defend? Greece walked through England. Palmer was also sleeping before Greece’s third disallowed goal. 4/10.”
The Independent was slightly more forgiving but still critical, saying, “6/10. Blazed over from ten yards when you’d expect him to score. A couple of times linked nicely or put in some good defensive work, but certainly not the type of impactful showing hoped for after a week of hype.”

Palmer Left in a Difficult Spot

There had been reports that the interim England manager was planning to build the team around Palmer moving forward. However, after being placed in an unfamiliar position and struggling to influence the game, the 22-year-old may now be questioning that claim.

It remains to be seen whether Palmer will return to his more natural attacking role when England faces Finland in their final match of the international break. If the team hopes to bounce back, getting the best out of players like Palmer will be key.