Roy Keane says England star has 'X-factor' after being impressed despite Slovenia Euro 2024 draw

Roy Keane England Slovenia

Roy Keane has claimed Cole Palmer 'has the X-factor' after the England winger impressed off the bench in their goalless draw with Slovenia on Tuesday night

ITV
Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 26/06/2024

- 07:12

The Three Lions were flat again on Tuesday night as they failed to win their third and final Euro 2024 clash

Roy Keane has claimed Cole Palmer 'has the X-factor' after the England winger impressed off the bench in their goalless draw with Slovenia on Tuesday night.

The Chelsea star has struggled for action at Euro 2024 so far, with Gareth Southgate preferring to pick Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden in the wide positions.


With England seeking a winner against Slovenia, Palmer finally made his debut at a major tournament.

The Chelsea star showed glimpses of his quality and went close late on, seeing a shot saved by Slovenian goalkeeper Jan Oblak.

Roy Keane

Roy Keane has claimed Cole Palmer 'has the X-factor' after the England winger impressed off the bench in their goalless draw with Slovenia on Tuesday night

ITV

And Keane, speaking on ITV, has now hailed the former Manchester City winger.

"The one I'm always excited to watch is [Cole] Palmer, he always has that X-factor," said the former Manchester United, Nottingham Forest and Celtic star.

"I know we were wondering why he didn't come on in that first or second game, but every time he gets the ball it looks like something is going to happen.

"There was certainly a bit more flow to their game the last 15 or 20 minutes.

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"They need to show more quality in the attacking areas, but I do love Palmer, I think he's amazing."

Keane also said Palmer was 'unpredictable' and provides a new dimension for England's faltering attack at a time when they're sorely in need of one.

Saka impressed during the first game against Serbia but has struggled in the two fixtures since.

As for Foden, the Manchester City star continues to falter on the left wing - with many feeling he should be played as a No 10 instead.

Keane continued: "Would you want to mark Palmer?

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"You wouldn't want to play against him. He's so unpredictable, he can beat a man, go left or right.

"A lot of brilliant players affect the game, when he came on, you knew he was going to affect the game.

"Every time he got it, we were looking at him. I'm hard to impress and I'm thinking 'something is going to happen'.

"Every time he gets the ball you think something is going to happen.

"He will think he should be in that starting XI. He won't think 'I'm learning and I'm glad to be here'.

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England Cole Palmer Slovenia

Cole Palmer impressed off the bench during England's goalless draw with Slovenia at Euro 2024

PA

"He will be looking at Gareth, like the big personalities do, thinking 'get me out there.'"

Southgate was asked about Palmer's performance at full time.

And the England boss was impressed by the forward's cameo, meaning he could start when the Three Lions play in the knockout stages of the competition on Sunday.

"He did very good. He finds space well and he makes chances and we were backing him to score at the end," he said.

"They are young players and we are blooding them in a difficult environment.

England Slovenia

England boss Gareth Southgate was proud of Cole Palmer's performance in the Three Lions' Euro 2024 draw with Slovenia

GETTY

"They had a good impact for us and did good things for us.

"Anthony Gordon, Cole Palmer, Kobbie Mainoo, it was a really good move.

"We have to build on that. There were a lot of things to build on from tonight."

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