Player of the Year! Cole Palmer receives England Men's award for outstanding 2024 performances

Although Palmer struggled to nail down a starting berth under Gareth Southgate during Euro 2024, he set up Ollie Watkins for the winner against the Netherlands in the semi-finals and found the net in their heart-breaking defeat to Spain in the final. He has beaten Bellingham and Saka in the race to win this award as they finished second and third respectively. In his nine international appearances so far, Palmer has two goals and one assist to his name.

The Chelsea star has exploded onto the scene since he joined the Blues from Manchester City in 2023, netting an impressive 25 goals and providing 15 assists in 45 appearances across all competitions. He has maintained his goal-scoring form in the current campaign as well and sent a warning to other Golden Boot contenders like Erling Haaland with a record-shattering four-goal haul against Brighton.

Palmer is the first Chelsea player to win the award since Ashley Cole in 2011. Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has won it four times (2008, 2009, 2014, 2015) the most by any player.

Palmer is currently preparing for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Greece and Finland on October 10 and 13 respectively. He missed out on interim manager Lee Carsley's first games in charge last month through injury.