Young stars Palmer and Lewis earn first England call-ups

Youngsters Cole Palmer and Rico Lewis have both been called up to England's senior squad for the first time ahead of their Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.

Palmer, 21, and Lewis, 18, have both enjoyed impressive starts to their respective seasons with Chelsea and Manchester City, with the former scoring four goals in his last six matches in all competitions.

Aston Villa's 26-year-old centre-back Ezri Konsa has also been given his first call-up to the squad but James Maddison, Lewis Dunk and Callum Wilson have withdrawn from the squad.

Palmer's season so far

Since joining from Man City on transfer deadline day in August, Palmer has been one of the shining lights for Mauricio Pochettino's Chelsea.

Palmer has scored four goals and provided two assists in nine Premier League appearances, including a penalty in the fifth minute of stoppage time against his former side in Sunday's incredible 4-4 draw with City.

"He arrived on the last day of the transfer window but is playing like he’s been here 10 years, showing his character and personality," Pochettino told the club's website.

See: Palmer's last-gasp penalty earns Chelsea a point in eight-goal EPIC

Lewis' season so far

On the back of a breakthrough season in 2022/23, Lewis has gone on to new heights this season with Man City.

He has already featured in 10 matches across all competitions and is a key part of Pep Guardiola's squad.

“To find a player like him playing in the pockets, how he has to move in holding midfield, full-back coming inside moving in the spaces - he is one of the best I ever trained by far," Guardiola said after City's 3-1 win against RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League on 4 October.

Konsa's season so far

Konsa has played a huge part in Aston Villa's flying start to the season, having started all 12 of their league matches so far.

The centre-back has impressed at the heart of Villa's defence and features in an England squad for the first time since being selected for the Under-21s in 2018.

Konsa has enjoyed success with England's youth teams, winning the 2017 FIFA Under-20 World Cup and the 2018 Toulon Tournament.