Cole Palmer: Is the Chelsea striker in the England World Cup picture after hat-trick at Wolves?

If Palmer can build momentum now, he will hit his stride at just the right time.

He was a regular in England’s Euro 2024 squad, but has made just one appearance under current coach Thomas Tuchel, in a 1-0 win over Andorra last June.

Injuries have been a factor, but there is also competition for places – with the likes of Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers and Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham vying for the No.10 role.

“At the moment, it looks like Morgan Rogers and Jude Bellingham will be ahead of him,” former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha told BBC Final Score.

“I’ll find a way to get him to the side.”

When asked if he would pick Palmer for England, former Blackburn and Chelsea striker Chris Sutton was more blunt: “Not at the moment, no. I’ll play with Rogers.”

England have two more friendlies ahead of the World Cup – against Uruguay on March 27 and Japan four days later – so the international camp will provide a great opportunity for players like Palmer to impress Tuchel.

“I don’t think so Cole [Palmer] “He’s in his best form yet,” Murphy said.

“Like a lot of players, when you get a serious injury and you have a lot of time off the field, it takes time in the game to get your rhythm and sharpness back.

He added: “He really needs to start playing regularly to work his way into the England squad, because at the moment with Morgan Rogers doing what he is doing, and the other players playing well, he has a battle on his hands.”