Some staff members at Manchester City hoped that Cole Palmer would follow in the footsteps of Phil Foden.
That is according to the Manchester Evening News.
So, what was said about Cole Palmer? Let’s take a look…
What’s the story?
Well, the 21-year-old won his first two caps for England during the international break, following a strong start to life at Chelsea.
Palmer joined the west Londoners in a £42.5m deal on transfer deadline day.
It was the England international who asked to leave – a decision which sounds as if it surprised a few staff members at the Etihad Stadium.
The Manchester Evening News believe staff in the academy were hoping that Palmer would stick around to show other talents in the City Football Academy that they can make it under Guardiola, just like Foden has managed to do.
While that would have been a nice thing for the City Football Academy to boast, nobody can begrudge the Wythenshawe-born attacker for leaving, as the decision is already paying off.
Palmer wanted to be the main man elsewhere rather than a rotational option under Guardiola, something he has found under Mauricio Pochettino as he quickly becomes a talismanic figure at Stamford Bridge.
Oscar Bobb has benefitted from Cole Palmer decision at Manchester City
When one door closes, another opens, something Oscar Bobb has realised after seeing Palmer head through the exit.
The 20-year-old has been given opportunities which were surely reserved for the Chelsea No.20 before his shock departure, and has taken them with both hands.
Bobb – who is said to be the reason why Guardiola was happy to sell Palmer – has since won his first senior caps for Norway, scoring his first international goal in Thursday’s 2-0 win over the Faroe Islands.
While some staff members within the City Football Academy were left upset to see Palmer depart, they can at least now hold Bobb up as an example to other prospects within the youth ranks instead.
