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

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

He was a key player for England at Euro 2024 but has only made one appearance under current manager Thomas Tuchel; in the 1-0 win against Andorra last June.

Injuries are also a factor, but he is also rivaled for the number 10 role by the likes of Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers and Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham.

Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha said on BBC Final Score: “At the moment it looks like Morgan Rogers and Jude Bellingham will be ahead of him.”

“I would try to find a way to pull him over.”

Asked if he would pick Palmer for England, former Blackburn and Chelsea forward Chris Sutton was a bit more blunt: “No, no, right now. I’d play Rogers.”

England have two more friendly matches ahead of the World Cup – against Uruguay on March 27 and Japan four days later – while the international camp will offer players like Palmer a great chance to impress Tuchel.

“I don’t think so, Cole. [Palmer] He’s in the best shape he’s ever been,” Murphy said.

“Like many players, when you have a bad injury and have had a lot of time off it takes game time to get your rhythm and sharpness back.

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