Cole Palmer tells England teammate to join Chelsea

Gareth Southgate has resigned from his role as England manager following defeat against Spain in Sunday’s Euro 2024 final. 

The Three Lions were beaten 2-1 by Luis de la Fuente’s side, becoming the first team in the tournament’s history to lose back-to-back finals.

While those in charge of the Football Association are working hard to find Southgate’s successor, it appears that one member of the Three Lions’ squad has been trying to persuade a teammate to join him at club level.

According to Football Insider, Cole Palmer has been trying to persuade striker Ollie Watkins to join him at Chelsea this summer.

Palmer, 22, joined the Blues from Manchester City last summer and enjoyed a scintillating debut season for the club, scoring 25 goals and providing 16 assists in 45 matches across all competitions.

That form earned him a place in Southgate’s squad for the Euros, and Palmer impressed in Germany.

The forward provided the assist for Watkins’ late winner against The Netherlands in the semi-finals, before scoring England’s equaliser in the final.

Watkins’ late winner against the Dutch sent England to the final

It is claimed that the Englishman was trying to persuade Watkins to join him in West London, with the pair having formed a strong relationship both on and off the pitch.

Palmer is said to have told his England teammate that their chemistry on the pitch could help Chelsea to challenge for silverware next term.

Watkins, 28, joined the Villans from Brentford back in 2020 and he has since netted 70 times in 169 games for the Midlands club.

The ex-Exeter City man is contracted to Villa until the end of the 2027/28 season, but the report suggests that Palmer’s persuasion could tempt Watkins in to joining Chelsea.

The Blues are in the market for a new striker this summer, despite Nicolas Jackson enjoying a relatively successful debut season for the club last term.