Why Archer is hoping for a different outcome against Chelsea's Palmer

It was Palmer, now a full England international and the star man at Stamford Bridge, set to visit Saints with Chelsea today, who came out on top.

"A few players ended up taking their PlayStations," said Archer, reflecting on the summer which saw him become a European champion with the Young Lions.

"We had a lot of downtime, it was probably the longest four weeks of my life," he joked. "It was all worth it in the end.

"I remember playing Cole on FIFA about 10 times. We were going back and forth, he did get the better of me. He'll probably tell you I still owe him some money."

Cameron Archer (centre, holding shirt) and Cole Palmer (bottom right corner) won the U21 Euros with England in 2023. (Image: PA).Now the top goalscorer for their respective clubs in the Premier League, Archer is hoping for a different outcome when the two renew their rivalry.

Russell Martin's Southampton, who sit bottom of the Premier League table, welcome potential title-challengers Enzo Maresca's Chelsea to St Mary's.

Much like Palmer invariably does for the Blues, Archer could hold the key to unlocking three points for a depleted Saints side.

READ MORE: Crisis? Every Southampton player unavailable against Chelsea

Archer has scored four goals across all competitions since arriving on the South Coast. Two have come in the Premier League - but he should have scored more.

A controversial VAR decision ruled out a would-be winner against Brighton. He missed a penalty against Man United and struck the crossbar against Man City.

Cameron Archer had a goal ruled out against Brighton. (Image: PA).Playing in the Premier League has always been the goal. The forward is the youngest of four brothers and football was always on the agenda.

His older brother, Jordan, was contracted to Bury FC when the Greater Manchester side were expelled from the EFL in 2019. 

He subsequently joined various clubs before hanging up his boots with a knee injury. Did growing up in a football-mad family help Archer? "Definitely.

"When we were in the garden, I was the smallest and the youngest. I needed to make the most of my time on the ball. That helped with my upbringing."

Cameron Archer joined Saints from Aston Villa this summer. (Image: PA) In the Midlands, there are plenty of academies. Archer had trials with Wolves, Birmingham and West Brom before joining Aston Villa from Walsall at the age of eight.

He climbed the ranks at Villa before getting his first taste of senior football in the National League when he joined local side Solihull Moors on a season-long loan.

"It was a difficult season, especially with Covid. I did well in my first couple of games but then the gaffer who brought me in got sacked," Archer explained.

"A new manager came in and I struggled to get back in the team but January came and the loan was extended. I was there for the season but it was difficult.

"I knew I had to go on loan because playing under-23s football is not good for you. I think, whether it went good or bad, the loan at Solihull helped me."

Solihull Moors have agreed a loan extension that will see Cameron Archer remain with the club for the rest of the 2020/21 season. 🤩

💛💙 #SMFC #YourSolihullYourClub

— Solihull Moors FC (@SolihullMoors) January 4, 2021

Four goals is a decent return for a young player taking his first steps in the men's game, but things changed rapidly when he returned to Villa.

During pre-season in the summer of 2021, his academy teammates were invited to train with Dean Smith's first team in London. 

"I was the only one who stayed behind," Archer revealed. "I trained with the under-18s then the first team needed me for an in-house game.

"I played the game and scored a hat-trick. That's where everything changed. I'd train with them all the time from there."

Having caught the eye of Smith, Archer was handed his full debut in a Carabao Cup second-round tie at Barrow. Three goals followed. 

"I was meant to be on the bench at first," he recalled. "The Brazilian striker, Wesley, was going to Club Brugge. I ended up starting and scored a hat-trick."

It would be natural for any young player to dream big after scoring their first hat-trick, but Archer insists his feet were firmly on the ground.

"In your head, it depends on the situation you're in at the moment. When you're that young, it's difficult to think too far ahead," said Archer.

"As you get older, the belief is there. I just kept my head down and kept working hard. I always say, I just control the things I can. Let everything else do its thing."

Subsequent successful loans with Preston and Middlesbrough in the Championship gave Archer further exposure to senior football and aided his development.

He fired 18 goals in 40 games across both spells before leaving Villa permanently to join newly promoted Premier League outfit Sheffield United in 2023.

When the Blades were unable to avoid immediate relegation back to the Championship, Villa triggered a buy-back clause inserted in Archer's contract.

Cameron Archer joined Saints from Aston Villa this summer (Image: Stuart Martin) "It was something that Aston Villa wanted to put in my contract. It benefited me because if we didn't do well at Sheffield, I'd end up going back.

"I think the idea was if I went back I'd get sold again anyway. I think it benefited both parties."

Archer's journey brought him to Saints in the summer. A conversation with Martin convinced the youngster that this was where he needed to take his next steps.

Always willing to learn and improve, Archer has made a decent start to life at St Mary's but there is an understanding more will come.

"I've been up and down the last three or four years. I haven't settled fully. But now I'm here at Southampton, I feel good. I feel like I can fully settle in now."