Chelsea star Cole Palmer is having a sensational season.
Cole Palmer scored a hat-trick against Manchester United during the week, following on from the brace he netted versus Burnley the match before.
Those three goals on Thursday have taken the attacker’s tally in the Premier League to 16, which is really impressive given that he has just started playing regularly in the top flight.
Palmer has also recorded eight assists, so he is looking like the real deal in attack right now.
Even so, one pundit says he would still choose one player outside the big six over him. Marc Cucurella hailed the 21-year-old as a “special” footballer after his recent hat-trick.
TalkSPORT pundit picks Premier League star over Cole Palmer
England have a lot of good attacking options right now, which is great for Gareth Southgate ahead of Euro 2024.
That includes West Ham United’s Jarrod Bowen, who cost the Hammers around £20m when he joined from Hull City four years ago.
And speaking on talkSPORT, former Wales international Dean Saunders claimed that he would choose the 27-year-old over Palmer for any team.
On the former Manchester City man initially, Saunders said: “He is a really good footballer, he sees a pass, he is silky on the ball and he sees chances and he sees goals. But I can’t put him ahead of [Bukayo] Saka or [Phil] Foden. I bet I’ve left a few out there.
“Bowen! Would you put Bowen in the team? I’d put Bowen in ahead of Cole Palmer in any team! I like Bowen.”
Who should Gareth Southgate take to the Euros, Cole Palmer or Jarrod Bowen?
Bowen’s stats are actually similar to Palmer’s this season, with the West Ham star scoring 15 goals in the Premier League and setting up another five.
Bowen also has a better track record than his England team-mate, who has not played too much senior football in his career after being overlooked by Pep Guardiola at City.
However, Palmer’s form has been ridiculous and he has delivered in some really big games for Chelsea, even if it has been from the spot.
Ultimately, if Southgate has to choose between Palmer and Bowen, then he surely has to go for the former.