Ian Wright and Cole Palmer Discuss England’s Euro 2024 Prospects

Former England striker Ian Wright recently outlined the minimum expectations for the national team at the upcoming European Championship in Germany. Wright, who spoke at the one-year anniversary of EA Sports’ FC FUTURES initiative, emphasized that England should aim for at least a semi-final appearance. He noted that England, under manager Gareth Southgate, have demonstrated considerable progress in recent international tournaments, including reaching the Euro 2020 final and the World Cup 2018 semi-finals.

Wright highlighted the importance of experienced players and solid defense, although he also acknowledged the team’s impressive attacking options, such as Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Phil Foden. Wright was awarded the inaugural FC FUTURES Hero Award for his contributions to football, with EA Sports’ initiative reaching over 170,000 people globally and launching major grassroots projects like Namibia Futures in partnership with UNICEF.

Cole Palmer, a recent addition to the England squad, credited his move to Chelsea in 2023 for fast-tracking his progress into the national team. Following a £42.5 million transfer from Manchester City, Palmer became one of Chelsea’s standout performers, scoring 22 Premier League goals. Palmer expressed excitement about joining a young England squad and forming impactful partnerships with players like Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham. He stressed the importance of game time and responsibility in his development, hoping to make a significant impact at Euro 2024 after missing out on the previous tournament.