England's penalty problems are well-known, but fearless new boy Cole Palmer says he would be happy to take the spot kick when the pressure is on.
The national team's failures from the penalty spot have cost them dearly in a number of major tournaments, including the Euro 2020 final shootout loss to Italy at Wembley.
Harry Kane's penalty miss against France proved costly in England's World Cup quarter-final exit last December, but Palmer seems to thrive under pressure.
The 21-year-old has scored four penalties in his last six appearances for Chelsea, including Sunday’s stoppage-time equaliser in the 4-4 draw with former club Manchester City.
“I missed a penalty in the Youth Cup final when we lost to Liverpool (in 2019),” Palmer said of his spot-kick record.
“I remember one when I was dead, dead young versus United. Those are the two I remember (missing).”
Asked if he would take a penalty, even if coming on especially for a shootout as England players were in the Euro 2020 final, the confident forward said: “Yeah, I would be (up for that).”
Palmer did, though, draw the line at asking England’s all-time top scorer Kane for a penalty after received a first senior call-up for this month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.
But the 21-year-old had no qualms about taking control at club level, having asking long-term mentor Raheem Sterling for the chance to open his Chelsea account against Burnley last month.
“It was just an in-game thing, really, and then once I scored at Burnley I just thought I’ll take them from here,” he said.
“The ball just came to me, and I looked at Raz because he won it and he just said ‘take it’.”
Palmer has not looked back since that Turf Moor goal, leading to plaudits aplenty and his first call-up after a handful of withdrawals from already qualified England’s initial selection.
Despite that, 82-cap forward Sterling remains on the outside looking in having been overlooked by Southgate once again.
“When I was coming through at City he helped me a lot,” Palmer said of Sterling. “He told me bits of advice and stuff.
“Then when I went to Chelsea I spoke to him before I went.
“He was like ‘do what you think is best for you’ and when I get got there I saw him on the first day I got there.”
Palmer says following Sterling’s footsteps in leaving City for Chelsea is “paying off” and downplayed concerns about the potential negative impact of the Stamford Bridge club stockpiling young talent.
“Yeah, I did look at how many players were there, but I don’t think people realise how many players they actually got rid of as well,” he added.
“So, when I was going there, people were saying ‘oh, there are so many players and stuff’ and all this.
“But I looked at the squad and thought: if I go there and know what I can do, then I’ll have the chance of playing and thankfully it’s happened.”
