Cole Palmer was frequently brought off the bench in the Premier League earlier in the season, getting minutes in games Manchester City were winning comfortably.
The 20-year-old played in seven of their first 11 league outings, amassing 99 minutes of playing time from a possible 999, but Palmer has managed just two league appearances from City’s last nine games (11/810).
Sam Lee of The Athletic noted that Palmer has suffered a ‘dip in confidence’ which has coincided with Pep Guardiola changing his treatment of the playmaker, “The 20-year-old has not quite lit things up like he did a year ago, however, and sources at City have noted a drop in his confidence, perhaps related to the injury that kept him out of the second half of last season.
“He might not get too many more minutes in the second half of this season, either.
“City are looking at bringing in a winger, too, which adds an extra layer of complication for Palmer. A loan is possible.”
Pep has played him more in the domestic cups since leaving him out of the league and Lee believes Palmer could struggle for playing time in the second half of the season as a result.
Not only are Riyad Mahrez, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, Julian Alvarez and Bernardo Silva ahead of the England U21 international in the pecking order, Guardiola can’t afford to take chances with his lineups as City are behind in the title race.
Rangers tried to sign Palmer on loan until the end of the season but had the offer rejected by City, so Pep clearly believes his development is better served in Manchester.
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