Chelsea fans will love what Rio Ferdinand has just said about Cole Palmer

Rio Ferdinand felt England were missing the ‘swagger and arrogance’ of Chelsea star Cole Palmer in their 1-0 win over Serbia.

Gareth Southgate’s side put in a mixed display in their opening game of Euro 2024 after they were put under severe pressure by their opponents after Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham had headed the Three Lions in front just before the quarter-hour mark. A lack of control and composure led to Serbia enjoying the better of the second-half exchanges as England wasted possession on several occasions, much to the frustration of former Manchester United defender Ferdinand.

He told BBC Sport: “You’d like to sit there and say the game needed a bit more control. So where were the players that can do that. Kobbie Mainoo maybe? Yes, if need be. But someone like Cole Palmer, who has that kind of swagger and arrogance to say give me the ball. The way Tadic came on for the Serbs. He came on and he was like give me the ball, I’ll be an outlet for you guys.”

Former Arsenal and Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas also seemed to question the mindset of several England players after they struggled to make an impact during a nervy second-half display.

He said: “It’s all about the mentality. You can not tell me that players like Trent, Foden, Bellingham and Rice don’t have the quality to keep the ball anywhere on the pitch. But it’s about do you want it enough to make a difference to hold the ball for your team? Do you want to make things happen? Do you enjoy getting the ball under pressure? Because when England played their best football, when the Serbs allowed them to have the ball. Once in the second-half when they got pressed a little bit more, you see Foden hitting the ball 40 yards, that’s not like them. You never see Xavi or Iniesta, the top players in the last 15 years doing that. You need to take responsibility to grow.”