Cole Palmer: Everyone knows England can play better at Euro 2024

Cole Palmer stated that England's players cannot avoid facing their underwhelming performance in the Euro 2024 tournament. However, he remains confident that Gareth Southgate's team will be prepared to improve their game as they enter the knockout stages this weekend.

The England team finished their group stage matches with a 0-0 draw against Slovenia in Cologne last night. Even though they advanced to the next round as the top team in their group, they might have a tough matchup against the Netherlands in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday.

"We are aware that we are capable of performing at a higher level, it's common knowledge," Palmer stated, following the Three Lions being greeted with boos once more when the game ended.

We weren't trying to hide it. We wanted to qualify and come in first place in the group, and we accomplished that. We still have more to achieve. We made it through the group stage and now we need to keep progressing.

We all understand that we have the potential to progress to higher levels, and I have full confidence that we will achieve that.

Palmer was mysteriously missing from the first two group matches, he didn't even get a chance to play despite having a great season with Chelsea where he ended up as the top English scorer in the Premier League.

Substituted in for Bukayo Saka in the second half, the 22-year-old player had a good influence on the game and likely impressed Southgate enough to earn a spot in the team for the next round.

"I always strive to perform at my best, whether I'm playing for my club or representing my country. It was a thrilling experience to be out on the field," he mentioned.

We all know that we have the ability to elevate our performance, especially in the knockout stages. I believe we will rise to the occasion and show our true potential.