Pep Guardiola has insisted that Cole Palmer has an important role to play at Manchester City this season despite uncertainty regarding the player’s future.
Palmer has made an impressive start to the new campaign, performing well and scoring in both the Community Shield against Arsenal and the UEFA Super Cup final against Sevilla.
However, City’s pursuit of Belgian winger Jeremy Doku has cast doubt on Palmer’s future at the Etihad Stadium.
City are battling West Ham, Tottenham and Chelsea for the signature of the 21-year-old, who Stade Rennes value at around £50 million.
Guardiola backs Palmer
Despite rumours of a departure – West Ham and Brighton have both expressed an interest in Palmer – Guardiola has insisted that the City academy graduate has an important role to play in his team.
“Cole last season, or in the previous season, he arrived in a moment that was extraordinary,” Guardiola told reporters ahead of City’s Premier League meeting with Newcastle.
“I remember a game in the FA Cup, he defined that game.
“Then he had an injury, another injury, another injury and could not be there. Playing for City is not easy when you have Riyad [Mahrez], Bernardo [Silva], you have a lot of players [to compete for minutes with]. But Cole right now is important.”
Speaking after the Super Cup in Piraeus, Palmer admitted he had “no idea” whether or not he would stay at City this summer.
On Wednesday, Guardiola said that if Palmer does leave then it would likely be on a permanent transfer rather than a loan.
Last season Palmer made 25 appearances – including six starts – in all competitions for City, scoring one goal and assisting another as Guardiola’s side won a historic treble.
