sportskeeda
The link between Chelsea’s rise in the title race and Manchester City’s difficulties can be traced back to a single individual: Cole Palmer.
City’s squad is becoming older and urgently requires a world-class young talent to revitalize their performances.
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The player that City should have held onto is Cole Palmer.
Meanwhile, Chelsea has evolved from a disordered club into one that urgently sought a leader to bring the team together.
And that leader is Cole Palmer.
Pep Guardiola’s choice to let Palmer go to Chelsea was contentious even last season when City secured their fourth straight title while the young Mancunian shone in a struggling Chelsea side.
Now, with Palmer stepping up as a crucial player in a successful Chelsea team and City having recently faltered with only one win in nine matches, this decision is starting to bear consequences.
Of course, Rodri’s injury absence has played a role. However, the significant decline of City cannot be attributed solely to the missing Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder.
This week, executives at Etihad celebrated the tenth anniversary of their City Football Academy, which has “produced 40 players for the men’s senior team and generated fees of up to £300million.”
They also take pride in the fact that “seven Premier League clubs and 12 Championship teams currently have a player developed at the CFA.”
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Football Free Bets and Sign Up Deals
This is impressive unless we remember that Palmer, one of only two world-class talents from the CFA—along with Phil Foden—is thriving at a club currently ahead of City in the league.
For an initial fee of £40m, which now seems like an incredible bargain.
Such misjudgments are common in football. However, they usually happen with Chelsea and not Guardiola’s teams.
Consider Chelsea’s main rivals, where you find Kevin De Bruyne, sold by Chelsea at 22, who has become a key player for City for several seasons.
You also see Mo Salah, sold by Chelsea at 23, who has long been Liverpool’s standout player.
Additionally, Declan Rice, rejected by Chelsea at 14, is now a crucial figure for Arsenal at £105million.
During Jose Mourinho’s time at Chelsea, he did not underestimate De Bruyne or Salah but considered them unready for his first team and certainly not future stars.
In a similar vein, City misread Palmer, who was my choice for Footballer of the Year over City’s Foden, who won the award simply because it is perceived to be more prestigious to excel in a strong team than to be exceptional in a struggling one.
Guardiola rated Palmer highly, keeping him close while other City prospects were loaned out, ensuring he received first-team opportunities and promoting patience at City, akin to Foden’s experience.
By the last summer, however, Palmer was 21, primed to become a significant talent in the Premier League.
Guardiola had promised him increased game time, and expectations were high after Palmer showcased his skills by scoring a remarkable goal at Wembley in the Community Shield against Arsenal and again in the UEFA Super Cup against Sevilla.
However, shortly thereafter, City decided to invest £55.5m in Jeremy Doku, who, while not a direct substitute for Palmer, was another promising forward of the same age whom they valued more financially.
This transfer surprised Palmer and his team, marking the pivotal moment that led to his decision to depart.
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Guardiola wanted to retain him but understood that forcing a player to stay against their will was unwise, especially considering Palmer was aware that his first-team opportunities at City would still be limited last season.
Moreover, Doku’s transfer required City to comply with the challenging Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Doku is a good player—a thrilling winger who may improve further but currently lacks consistent finishing and often finds himself on the sidelines.
He certainly does not reach Palmer’s level, who scored two penalties and provided a stunning assist to help Chelsea achieve a pivotal comeback victory against Spurs, closing the gap on league leaders Liverpool.
Following that 4-3 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Chelsea’s manager Enzo Maresca—who had previously coached Palmer in City’s academy—offered high praise for his star player.
What was particularly interesting was Maresca’s revelation that Palmer, who has converted all 12 penalties in the Premier League, does not actually practice them.
This idea of forgoing penalty practice is quite astonishing in the current climate.
The previous failures of England in shootouts were linked to their lack of penalty preparations. However, under Gareth Southgate, they began rigorous practice and subsequently started to win shootouts.
Nevertheless, according to Maresca, Palmer is “not normal.” He demonstrates talent and composure that are far from average.
Most players train to hone their skills, and even exceptionally gifted individuals undergo practice to improve.
The absolute elite, those endowed with extraordinary talent and spontaneity, exist in a tier of their own.
Interestingly, Guardiola—a recognized visionary—failed to recognize the genius that Palmer embodied while at City.
That contrast is what differentiates Manchester City from Chelsea.
Ashworth’s painful exit
MANY successful business leaders have crossed into football only to stumble, yet Sir Jim Ratcliffe is pushing this to new limits.
As the most accomplished businessman in England, Ratcliffe has entered Manchester United—England’s top football club—and, within a year, has created a disarray.
The summer decision to reward Erik ten Hag with a new contract and significant control over transfer choices, only to fire him after just nine games this season, marks a significant embarrassment.
Now, the departure of Dan Ashworth—the celebrated sporting director poached from wealthy Newcastle United less than six months into his tenure—is particularly painful.
Ashworth has a remarkable track record of successfully appointing managers, including Gareth Southgate with England, Graham Potter at Brighton, and Eddie Howe at Newcastle.
Yet Ratcliffe seemingly ignored Ashworth’s counsel when determining the future of Ruben Amorim.
Whether Amorim will prove successful remains an open question.
Ratcliffe’s blunders regarding Ten Hag and Ashworth have reportedly cost United around £25 million.
The billionaire Ineos chief is currently attempting to recoup some of that loss by charging fans £66 to watch United and laying off numerous loyal club staff.
Ah, capitalism at work!
The ‘Smallest’ clubs outperforming the bigger ones
THIS summer, Bournemouth parted ways with their star player, Dominic Solanke. Brentford also let go of their star scorer, Ivan Toney. Meanwhile, Fulham sold their key player, Joao Palhinha.
Despite this, all three clubs—arguably among the youngest in the Premier League—have thrived and currently sit in the top half of the table, looking down at wealthier rivals.
Hearty applause is owed to managers Andoni Iraola, Thomas Frank, and Marco Silva.
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Chelsea’s new strategy with Chesterfield
FOOTBALL clubs do not necessarily need expensive public relations consultants.
Winning matches typically results in favorable media coverage. Conversely, losing leads to negative attention.
Nevertheless, Chelsea seems set to hire a well-known public relations expert, Nerissa Chesterfield, who previously handled communications during Rishi Sunak’s administration. And we all know how well that turned out.
Perhaps she can aid in managing Chelsea’s ‘bomb squad’ dismissals. To Rwanda, perhaps?
Maximizing set-piece plays
LET’S not fault Arsenal for relying on set-piece goals.
If it was acceptable for Stoke City, it should be equally acceptable for critics in Stoke Newington.
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