Manchester City had a season that they will never forget by securing the treble, but one player who was part of that might be heading out on loan to be playing more first-team football.
Pep Guardiola has shown some faith in City youth players, and he has an abundance of breakthrough talent. You only have to look at the England under-21’s success with James Trafford, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Thomas Doyle and Cole Palmer.
Which England Under 21 international is leaving Manchester City?
Palmer is the player in question who is set to gain more experience by playing first-team football. The Wythenshawe attacking midfielder has been with City since 2010 and has progressed through the City ranks, with every coach raving about how good Palmer’s work ethic is.
Guardiola picked up the progress Palmer was making, and he introduced Palmer into the first team during the 2020/21 season by playing him against Burnley in the League Cup. Palmer, however, had to wait till the following season to make his Premier League debut as he played the final 20 minutes against Norwich City.
After making 25 appearances in all competitions for the Citizens, it looks like Guardiola is keen for the 21-year-old to ply his trade at a club where he will have more opportunities.
Where could Palmer be heading?
There will not be a shortage of clubs he would want to have Palmer on their books and will have enquired to City about the availability of the England Under 21 Champion.
However, the two front runners are Leicester City and Burnley. The two clubs are set to go right to the wire to acquire his services as they believe he has what it takes to improve their side.
With Leicester just recently relegated, they are hoping for a quick return to the Premier League as they look to recapture former glories. However, Burnley is on a high, having gained promotion to the Premier League under former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany.
Both destinations will help in Palmer’s development, but they will be two different challenges at two different levels. He can either scrap it out in a likely relegation dogfight where results will be tough to take or walk into a side who are immediate favourites to gain promotion to the Premier League, and he might be able to strut his stuff a bit more.
City holds the cards in where Palmer will be heading but staying at the Etihad for the coming season looks highly unlikely at this present moment.