“I pray he won’t play the final” “He’s too good for me to handle” – Chelsea star speaks on teammate ahead of Euro 2024 final
Marc Cucurella has acknowledged that if Cole Palmer sits out of Sunday’s Euro 2024 final, it would be far better for him.
Cucurella and his Spanish teammates are getting ready for their first major final in a dozen years, which will take place in Berlin when they play England.
The 25-year-old has brought his end-of-season form to the global arena, where he has excelled for Spain and been among the tournament’s most notable players.
Cucurella hopes Palmer stays on the bench
Cucurella could come up against Palmer and Conor Gallagher in the final as Spain look to win their first major tournament since Euro 2012.
Palmer has had to be patient in Germany, but after being overlooked completely for the first two group games, he has featured from the bench in England’s subsequent four games, scoring in the penalty shootout victory against Switzerland and setting up Ollie Watkins’ last minute winner against the Netherlands.
Cucurella knows the quality Palmer possesses having come up against him in training every day for Chelsea and seeing it on the pitch, with the 22-year-old being named Premier League Young Player of the Year last season.
Speaking in the build up to the final Cucurella admitted he had been in contact with Palmer and would prefer it he stayed on the bench in Sunday’s final.
“I spoke with him, but it was over a week ago, we talked for a while in the previous rounds,” Cucurella told Mundo Deportivo.
“For me, it’s much better if he doesn’t play and stays on the bench.”