Cole Palmer shows true colours with message to England squad after painful Spain defeat

Cole Palmer sent a defiant message to his England team-mates following their heartbreaking defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final. 58 years of hurt are set to become 60, with the Three Lions falling agonisingly at the final hurdle in Berlin.

A late Mikel Oyarzabal winner sealed victory for Spain, 13 minutes after Palmer had drawn England level following Nico Williams’ opener. The result sees Spain crowned European champions for a record fourth time, while England are saddled with the unfortunate distinction of being the first team to lose back-to-back Euros finals.

Speaking after the game, a dejected Palmer urged his team-mates to keep their heads up and to use the crushing defeat as inspiration with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon. “We got to another final, there are positives to take,” the Chelsea star, 22, told ITV.

“Obviously everyone wanted to go a step further, and we’re disappointed that we didn’t… [but] the World Cup’s in two years’ time, we need to remember this feeling and hopefully push on and try and win it.”

The fact the England star is already looking ahead to the next tournament and trying to use the defeat as motivation to push on sums up his elite mentality.

Palmer, however, admitted Spain were worthy winners on the night, and of the competition as a whole. “Spain have been brilliant all tournament, everyone has seen what they can do, so they’re a great team, congratulations to them,” he said, before conceding: “It hurts… I’m gutted.”

The ex-Manchester City ace, who scored a whopping 27 goals in all competitions last season, had to settle for substitute appearances at the Euros, with Southgate preferring to use the likes of Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka ahead of him. Nonetheless, Palmer managed to make a significant impact, setting up Ollie Watkins’ winner against the Netherlands in the semi-final before scoring in the final.

Sunday’s defeat leaves Gareth Southgate’s future up in the air, with pressure now mounting on the former Middlesbrough boss to step aside after four major tournaments at the helm. That said, Palmer heaped praise on the 53-year-old, suggesting he’d be keen for him to stay on.

“Gareth’s been amazing for the group,” Palmer said. “He’s got the team to back-to-back finals, so it’s been good.”

After the match, Southgate revealed he’d speak to those close to him before deciding his future. “Now is not the best time to take a decision like that,” he told ITV. “I’ve got to talk to the right people. It’s not for right now.”

It’s understood the FA are keen for Southgate to stay, but won’t stand in his way if he decides to move on. If he does, the likes of Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino and Eddie Howe are the frontrunners to replace him.

Like Palmer, Southgate lauded Spain as deserving winners of the Euros and admitted England just weren’t up to snuff on the night. “I think they (Spain) were the best team in the tournament,” he said. “We didn’t keep the ball well enough but were in it until the last 10 minutes. I’m devastated. The players were incredible and I’m proud of what they have done.

“Tonight, we didn’t quite keep the ball well enough. That was probably what made the difference. It’s a missed opportunity. The players have to take enormous credit to take it as long as we did. But you have to take your chances. They’ve worn the shirt with pride and have never been beaten until the last five minutes of the final game.”