Fit him in - Chelsea icon Mikel Obi demands focus on 22-year-old England star after Euro 2024 setbacks

Nigerian legend and Chelsea icon John Mikel Obi has warned the next England manager that they must find a way to accommodate Chelsea star Cole Palmer in the starting XI.

Palmer was one of the key talking points as the Three Lions laboured to the final of Euro 2024, where they were eventually beaten by Spain.

After a breakthrough season at Stamford Bridge which saw him take home the big awards with the Blues, the 22-year-old struggled to break into Gareth Southgate's England team.

Southgate came under heavy criticism from English fans who struggled to understand why the former Manchester City academy star could not force his way into the starting eleven.

Despite featuring in five of the seven matches England played, Cole Palmer, who picked up just one goal and an assist, failed to start a single match as the Three Lions made it back-to-back defeats in the European Championship finals.

And now Mikel, who spent over a decade at Chelsea, has urged the next England boss to build the team around the talented playmaker.

'I think they need to find a way to fit Cole Palmer in that starting eleven,' Obi said on his latest podcast.

'They need to find a way, whichever manager comes in, his first job is to find a way he can fit Palmer because every time he came on in the tournament (Euro 2024) he was absolutely fantastic.'

England are now searching for a new manager following Southgate's resignation in the aftermath of the final defeat, and Obi believes the incoming boss must make Palmer a central figure.

Meanwhile, Obi praised Spain for their Euro 2024 and believes La Roja were deserved winners over England.

Nigerian football legend Obi has shared his thoughts on Spain's victory in the recently concluded Euro 2024.

The former Chelsea midfielder offered a detailed analysis of La Roja's performance and the key factors behind their success.

Mikel was unequivocal in his assessment of Spain's triumph. "Well deserved, the best team definitely," he stated, emphasising that there could be no argument against Spain's superiority throughout the tournament.

Managed by Luis de la Fuente, who made history in Germany, Spain were heads and shoulders above everyone in the competition.