Chelsea captain Reece James has claimed Manchester City sold a player in the summer who is one of the best in the world.
Pep Guardiola’s men made several sales in the summer that might have affected other teams, considering the calibre of players that left the club.
The likes of Ilkay Gundogan, Aymeric Laporte and Riyad Mahrez were brimming with quality even last season.
It was reported at the start of the month that Pep Guardiola privately misses Ilkay Gundogan.
Reece James now hails player Man City sold in 2023
Despite City being in contention to win the double, the Catalan is believed to think that neither Mateo Kovacic nor Matheus Nunes have adequately replaced the German.
In December, Gary Neville claimed that Manchester City sold a “better player” than Josko Gvardiol in Aymeric Laporte.
Al-Ahli’s Riyad Mahrez also revealed in November that Pep Guardiola and Txiki Begiristain were hoping he stays at the club this season.
But it seems like Cole Palmer’s exit for £40 million (Sky Sports) has become a bigger talking point than the sales of all the aforementioned players.
After Chelsea beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 on Saturday, Reece James claimed that Cole Palmer is one of the best players in the world.
“We learn every day, we’re still young but we are improving and we’re coming strong at the end of the season. Cole Palmer is one of the best in the world, I think, personally. At City, he didn’t play as much as he would like but he has come here and taken the chance with both hands”, he said on The Sky Sports Football Podcast.
“Slowly but surely, we are finding our feet and reaching a level.”
Man City should look to replace Cole Palmer in the summer
Based on how Cole Palmer has performed this season, it is difficult to disagree with Reece James’ high praise of him.
In the summer, Manchester City should look to replace Palmer in the transfer market, in our view.
It seems like Pep Guardiola still does not trust Jeremy Doku to become a full-time right-winger.
Bernardo Silva’s future seems to become a point of contention every summer, which means only Phil Foden will be able to play in that position regularly.
Regardless of whether City regret selling Palmer, they need a replacement for a genuine right-winger like him.
It will be interesting to see whether Manchester City even address the position and even if they do, the profile of the player they sign.