Pep Guardiola says he has no doubts over the quality of Cole Palmer, who has admitted amid links of a move away from Manchester City that he "just wants to play football."
The 21-year-old is one of the most highly-rated youngsters in England, and played a starring role in the Three Lions' Under-21 UEFA European Championships success over the summer - bagging three assists and a goal in the tournament.
Palmer has also thoroughly impressed at club level over the summer too, scoring goals in the FA Community Shield and the UEFA Super Cup.
With Riyad Mahrez recently leaving the Premier League champions for Saudi Pro League outfit Al Ahli and Kevin De Bruyne out injured for a number of months, there's a chance for Palmer to earn more minutes at the Etihad Stadium this season. But he's also been linked with both Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United, with Guardiola previously admitting he could leave the club before transfer deadline day on September 1.
“It’s been a couple of good games for me but I don’t know. I will have to see what the future holds.," Palmer said. "This summer [in pre-season] I was playing a lot and when we came back I was given the opportunity twice. I have always been confident but it’s more rhythm, match sharpness and stuff like that. It really helps when you are playing consistently.
“I have no idea [what the future holds]; I just want to play football. So whatever the best decision is when we speak together, that is what I will do. Obviously the best scenario is to stay at City and play but obviously you know what the competition is like, if they bring someone in – I don’t know.”
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Palmer started the Super Cup final against Sevilla in Greece, with Guardiola subsequently revealing that he has no doubts over his ability to step into the side and fill the void left by De Bruyne's latest hamstring blow.
“It's not necessary to ask how good he is,” Guardiola said in relation to Palmer. “You don't need two goals in two finals to define how good he is. “Cole in the previous season arrived in an extraordinary moment, he defined the game in the FA Cup and then had injuries. He couldn't be there.
“Playing at City is not easy with Riyad [Mahrez, now departed], Bernardo [Silva] and a lot of players. Last season our players in midfield were KDB, who will be four or five months out, [Ilkay Gundogan] who isn't here, we have to adjust a few things. We're not at our best, or our top, it's normal and we adjust a few things but the spirit is there.”
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This article was originally published on 90min as Cole Palmer speaks out on Man City future as Pep Guardiola hints at more minutes.
