Chelsea star Cole Palmer has admitted that his first major tournament experience with England was a tough one.

Palmer ended last season as arguably the most in-form player in the Premier League, after a run of 12 goals in 11 games.

That scoring streak helped him win Chelsea's Player of the Year award and also a place in Gareth Southgate's England squad for Euro 2024.

But Palmer was not selected to start in any of England's seven games at the Euros, despite impressing during five cameos as a substitute.

The 22-year-old's tournament highlights included a successful penalty in a shootout victory over Switzerland, assisting Ollie Watkins for England's late winner against the Netherlands in the semi-finals and then a fine goal in the defeat by champions Spain. 

But in an interview with Sky Sports this week, Palmer described his overall tournament experience as 'difficult'.

Asked to elaborate, Palmer said: '[It was difficult because I was] not playing. You're going into a new group, you have lads who have been there a number of years.

'Obviously, being a new young player, all the lads did take me in to be fair, like they did with all the young players. So it was quite easy to settle in, but obviously not playing and thinking to yourself, "Why?" and just questioning yourself.'

After his interviewer pointed out that Palmer was one of many excellent attacking midfield options for England at the Euros, the Chelsea ace continued: 'I didn't question my ability because I knew what I had done during the season.

'But you're just thinking like "Why?", do you know what I mean? But I just thought that when I do get on I'm just going to try and make an impact and do something.'

Palmer recently signed a new nine-year contract with Chelsea. 

Palmer will be back in domestic action on Sunday when Chelsea begin their new Premier League campaign by hosting champions Manchester City.

Chelsea signed Palmer from Man City last summer and he faced his former club three times during the 2023-24 campaign, including in a 4-4 draw in November when he scored an added-time equaliser.