- England have had four players win a Ballon d’Or with Kevin Keegan winning two
- The Three Lions have not seen one a star win it since Michael Owen in 2001
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A current England star has insisted that they do have what it takes to win the Ballon d’Or and end a 23-year wait for football’s biggest solo honour to be handed out to a Three Lions international.
Over the years, England have had some success in the Ballon d’Or, with Michael Owen winning in 2001 to become the fourth to do so since Stanley Matthews won the inaugural gong in 1956.
Wins for Bobby Charlton and two in succession for Kevin Keegan put England eighth on the all-time list for success, behind the likes of Brazil, France Germany and Argentina who traditionally dominate.
But now one England player believes that they’ve got what it takes to make it five for the Three Lions, after being shortlisted for this year’s award, to be handed out later this month, at just 22 years old following a breakout campaign in 2023-24.
‘It was a surprise to be recognised at that level so early in my career. It’s a huge honour,’ Cole Palmer told The Telegraph in an exclusive interview.
An England star has revealed in an interview that they can go on to win the Ballon d’Or
The last English forward to win the award was Michael Owen, doing so back in 2001
‘Winning it would be brilliant, and I believe with hard work and consistency I could get there!’
Palmer is one of six England players to have been shortlisted for the most prestigious of individual honours in the game.
He joins national team captain Harry Kane, former Man City team-mate Phil Foden, Arsenal duo Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham in the ranks.
He added: ‘Repetition is vital. You have to keep pushing your limits and improving every season. It’s about setting higher standards for yourself and striving to surpass them.’
Palmer’s emergence has been nothing short of explosive, flying out of the traps for Chelsea since making his £42.5million move from Manchester City last summer.
Since arriving at a somewhat turbulent Chelsea last year, though, Palmer has been consistently the standout performer, scoring 31 and assisting 20 in his 54 Blues appearances.
Last term saw him sustain an unbelievable hot streak throughout the majority of the campaign, with the forward netting 22 times in 33 games in the top-flight in 2023-24, drawing him level with Frank Lampard’s club record.
‘That’s a solid record. It’s definitely a goal of mine to aim for that…and maybe even beyond! I’m always looking to improve my scoring tally and I think I’ve shown this by scoring four in the first half [against Brighton last month]. Apparently I made history!
Cole Palmer is undoubtedly the star performer for Chelsea and has 30 goals in 54 games
His performances have increased the clamour for the England team to be built around him
He has also been moved into a more central role under Enzo Maresca, of which he said: ‘Playing centrally has given me more opportunities to influence the game.
‘I enjoy being involved in the build-up and making key passes as well as scoring. It suits my style, and I think I can be even more effective there.’
Chelsea travel to Anfield on Sunday afternoon in a blockbuster clash with Arne Slot’s Liverpool.
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