‘Am I going on loan?’ – Man City wonderkid addresses transfer rumours

Cole Palmer admits he was unsure over his transfer status this summer, with speculation over a possible loan move away from Manchester City.

The 20-year-old had an uncertain future over the summer, as it was uncertain what his role would be due to the stiff competition for places.

He has been promoted to be a first team player at Manchester City. He’s been given substitute appearances whenever possible to acclimatise to senior football.

The England U21 international has made eight appearances in all competitions this season, featuring in three of City’s last four league outings and in two of their Champions League group games.

Palmer told Sport Bible that many were suggesting he should be loaned out over the summer as it wasn’t guaranteed that he’d get much time on the pitch in 2022/23. But Palmer always believed in his ability and wants to follow Phil Foden in successfully breaking into the senior side.

Speaking to SportBible, he said: “I believe in myself. I think I’m good enough. So I’ve just got to stick it out. And hopefully I can do it. All the talk of (Phil Foden) going on loan (in the past), it’s the same talk with me – ‘Am I going on loan?’ – but I think the best place to be if you want to get in the team and learn with the players, you’re going to have to stay there.

“I could’ve gone on loan, but everyone thought the best option was to stay. I’m a late developer so I probably wasn’t ready to go out on loan at that stage. The focus was more to just stay there and train with the best players. (Guardiola) said a few things to me, to stick at it and be patient. All the staff have said it to me often. I’ve got to trust him, and hopefully, get more and more gametime.”

Palmer also discussed his transition from academy training to the first team, where he admits he may have spent some early training sessions in awe of his new colleagues.

He said: “I was more focused on the players [than working with Guardiola] to be honest. Like, because obviously when you go into the academy go over you think about all these players, like [Sergio] Aguero and that was all there out the time we went over.

“And then obviously, when you see Pep, it’s just like mesmerising. But now I’m getting used to it. When you go from training with the under-18’s and 23’s to the first team, the difference is just mad.

“The intensity, but then you look at certain things they do and you just think, ‘Wow’. When you watch it on TV and the ball comes over, and it’s spinning mad ways and stuff and someone controls it dead. People think it’s normal but it’s mad.”