BBC pundit Garth Crooks believes Manchester City sold a player last summer who is not at the standard to play for them.
Much has been made of City’s sales, as they let go of players who were a fabric of their club for the past few years.
Ilkay Gundogan is perhaps the best example.
In November, Kolo Toure described the German captain’s absence as a “big loss” for his former club, Manchester City.
Jay Bothroyd also stated that City were missing the Barcelona midfielder’s presence, especially as a goalscorer in games where they struggling, especially against top teams.
In December, Pep Guardiola admitted that he was keen on Ilkay Gundogan staying alongside Riyad Mahrez, whose absence is often cited as a reason why City have struggled at points this season.
Garth Crooks says player City sold last year is “not good enough” for them
Riyad Mahrez confirmed the Catalan’s admission by revealing that both he and Txiki Begiristain tried to persuade him to stay at Manchester City.
However, Mahrez, who left in a deal worth£30 million was tempted by the prospect of joining Al-Ahli, after having won the lot at the Etihad Stadium.
Gundogan and Mahrez’s departures have been debated by fans and pundits alike regarding whether the decision to sell them were mistakes from City or if the calls were right considering they were ageing.
Even in his last two seasons, the Algerian ensured that he would put up goal and assist numbers, which would often go unnoticed.
As for Gundogan, he still remains a world-class player and he would have only improved as a captain after winning the treble and with more experience.
However, Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez and even Aymeric Laporte ended their spells at the club to explore different challenges.
Another player whose exit from Manchester City has been debated is Cole Palmer but Garth Crooks feels he is not at the level to play for them.
“This was the kind of game to really assess [Cole] Palmer’s progress and, while meteoric, it is still not good enough to merit a regular spot in a Manchester City side. Not with [Kevin] De Bruyne around”, he wrote on BBC Sport man is simply not good enough to play for City is a stretch, especially considering he is a brilliant right-winger. No player at the club is yet to cement their position as City’s primary right-winger and had Palmer stayed at the Etihad Stadium, he would have been able to. Former Manchester City technician Cole Palmer is both an excellent winger and attacking midfielder, which is why Garth Crooks’ point does not quite add up.).
Cole Palmer could have just played as a winger
In the number 10 role, Garth Crooks has a point about Chelsea’s Cole Palmer not being at the level of Kevin De Bruyne.
But De Bruyne is a legend of the game, so, Palmer should not be expected to be superior to him in any capacity anyway.
But to suggest the £42.5 million (BBC Sport) man is simply not good enough to play for City is a stretch, especially considering he is a brilliant right-winger.
No player at the club is yet to cement their position as City’s primary right-winger and had Palmer stayed at the Etihad Stadium, he would have been able to.
Former Manchester City technician Cole Palmer is both an excellent winger and attacking midfielder, which is why Garth Crooks’ point does not quite add up.