Chelsea star Cole Palmer has been voted England Men’s Player of the Year for the 2023/24 season.

The 22-year-old enjoyed a stunning breakout campaign with the Blues last season which helped him earn his first senior caps for the Three Lions. Palmer’s debut came against Malta last November and he has nine caps in total ahead of October’s fixtures against Greece and Finland.

Palmer, who’s scored twice for England including a strike against Spain in the Euro 2024 final, beat Jude Bellingham in second and third-place Bukayo Saka to claim the award, which was presented to him by former Manchester City teammate John Stones.

“It’s for you, lad!” Stones said. “That for me?” Palmer responded. “Are you messing?”

“I swear!” Stones laughed. “I’m extremely proud of you and what you’ve done. And you deserve the trophy, so I couldn’t be happier for you mate.”

“Thank you very much, John. I think that’s the nicest thing you’ve said to me!” Palmer joked.

After bagging 25 goals in his debut season with Chelsea, there were hopes Palmer would play a major role for England during the Euro 2024 campaign. However, he was restricted to just 146 minutes of game time across five substitute appearances in Germany, with former boss Gareth Southgate often preferring the likes of Saka, Bellingham and Phil Foden out wide and in attacking midfield.

He hasn’t played for England since the final defeat to Spain, sitting out of September’s Nations League encounters against the Republic of Ireland and Finland in September due to injury, but has been included in interim manager Lee Carsley’s squad for this month’s clashes with Greece and Finland.

Palmer added: “My favourite moment is either my debut or the goal in the final.”

The awards for the 2022/23 and 2021/22 seasons were scooped by Saka, while Kalvin Phillips picked up the prize in 2020/21.

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