Manchester City: Cole Palmer the surprise guest of Pep Guardiola

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By: Manu Tournoux

The harvest of titles has already begun at Manchester City. After the fabulous hat-trick of last season (FA Cup, Premier League and Champions League), the Mancuniens won their first trophy of this new exercise by beating Sevilla FC in the European Supercup (1-1, 5-4 tab ). This is the first time they have won this trophy. Led in the score, the English club did not salute Erling Haaland, Phil Foden or Jack Grealish but Cole Palmer, author of the goal of the equalizer by scoring with a header on this cross from Rodri.

More than his goal, it is his performance that is to be highlighted. Holder on the right side of the attack, the winger will have been the most interesting offensive element of the meeting. Despite a bit of waste in his game, he multiplied his attempts to defend from the back. Unlike his partners, he did not disappoint. And like ten days ago during the Community Shield, the left-hander saved his people. Facing Arsenal and this time off the bench, it was he who had already opened the scoring. That didn’t stop City from losing on penalties this time around.

Already twice goalscorer this season

Cole Palmer was not really predestined to impose himself in the rotation of the team in this month of August. Author of a few appearances last year (25 TTC, 1 goal, 1 assist), he mainly played at the end when Guardiola rotated his workforce and the title was acquired. The situation changed this summer. With the departure of Riyad Mahrez and the long-term injury of Kevin de Bruyne which could force Foden and Bernardo Silva to evolve a notch lower, the Englishman is seizing his chance. Enough to move the lines of the pre-established hierarchy and add a little doubt in the mind of his trainer.

If City should recruit at least one player with an offensive vocation (Paqueta and Doku are the names that come up the most), Palmer takes advantage of the circumstances which are favorable to him. His name was however associated with Borussia Dortmund, then later with Brighton. “I don’t know what will happen. I don’t think a loan is going to happen. He will stay or we will sell, but there will be no loan.recognized Guardiola after the success against Sevilla on Wednesday evening, while the other young player in vogue, Rico Lewis, extended him until 2028.

A future not yet decided

According to the words of the Spanish coach, he did not really plan to lose Palmer, especially with the needs of the moment. “He has character. It’s not easy to play against defenders like Acuna, for example, who is a top defender. It’s not easy, it’s a final. He is a young player who plays in these stadiums. It’s not easy for these guys. He played really well and scored a fantastic goal too.” Under contract until 2026, the 21-year-old sees his future open wide in his training club, at the best of times. This remains to be confirmed in the longer term.

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