'Palmer could be next big star - But his Man City future is uncertain' - USA Trending Blog
'Palmer could be next big star - But his Man City future is uncertain' - USA Trending Blog
Cole Palmer has long been touted as one of the next big talents off Manchester City's production line - and demonstrated exactly why in the fierce heat and humidity of Athens as his side won the Uefa Super Cup.
The 21-year-old from Wythenshawe, admired by clubs outside Manchester as well as City, received the seal of approval from near and far as Pep Guardiola's side added the latest piece of silverware to last season's trophy haul of the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.
He scored City's equaliser with a deft header just after the hour, showcasing the languid skills that also saw him score a spectacular goal in the Community Shield against Arsenal at Wembley.
As his side came from behind to win 5-4 on penalties after an entertaining encounter with Sevilla ended 1-1, Palmer took the plaudits.
The appreciation from afar came from Saudi Arabia in the shape of a tweet from Al-Ahli's Riyad Mahrez, one of his illustrious Manchester City predecessors on the right-wing role he occupied in Athens.
Mahrez tweeted applause when Palmer, who was deservedly voted man of the match, was substituted.
Palmer also earned a hug from his perfectionist manager after a performance which hinted at what a special talent he could become under the Catalan's expert tutelage.
There has been talk of interest from West Ham United as City pursue their Brazilian star Lucas Paqueta, but this was a display that suggested Palmer could do big things when surrounded by this special squad at Etihad Stadium.
Guardiola, though, suggested the England Under-21 international's future at the club remained uncertain.
"I don't know [if he will stay]," said the City boss. "When we arrived, I had the opinion that he wanted to leave but now I don't know.
"I don't think a loan is going to happen. He's going to stay or he's going to be sold.
"He showed character - it is not easy to play defenders like [Marcos] Acuna - a young player in these stages, it's not easy. He played good and made a fantastic goal too."
Guardiola had nothing to do with some of the narrative from elsewhere that the Uefa Super Cup encounter was a glorified friendly - effectively Europe's version of the Community Shield.
The scenes when Sevilla's Nemanja Gudelj crashed a penalty against the bar to give City victory after nine successful kicks was ample demonstration of that.
The celebrations were full-on, a beaming Guardiola theatrically kissing Erling Haaland as he paraded the trophy before City's fans, rejoicing in a second major European success in matter of months after waiting so long to win the Champions League.
Guardiola and City wanted this trophy as further affirmation they are now firmly placed among Europe's football elite - and so it proved.
It did not come without lots of sweat - literally on this boiling night in Athens - and some fine work from keeper Ederson, whose save from Sevilla goalscorer Youssef En-Nesyri to prevent the Spanish Europa League holders doubling their lead in the second half proved to be a crucial moment.
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