There may well be a lot of truth in what you say. But, Cole is just 21. Mahrez wasnt the player he became at 21.
Its a shame he has gone in some respects, but City likely between a rock and a hard place with this one. Chelsea apparently have quadrupled his wages. City for a squad player just weren’t prepared to play that game so it likely there was only one real outcome….
I dont think its a good decision for Palmer from a football point of view. Theres a long list of players going back 20 years whos career has died at Chelsea. Also, they seem to have a scatter gun approach even more the last year or so. Financially its good for him no doubt, time will tell if it works for him or not. I suspect it wont!!
What the Chavs have done has an element of logic about it. They've scooped up anyone & everyone, & now have a season of domestic football to sort the wheat from the chaff.
Because of FFP, those who don't make the grade will be sold, possibly at knockdown rates next summer. Those who're left will form the Chav's foundation for the next 6 years under Poch.
21 seems to be the make or break age for City, but for Palmer it seemed like it was more "Let's give it another season & take it from there", but Cole wanted first team football now.
We've got better in every position than Cole, & to be fair to City, when you take Grealish, Bernardo, Foden & now Doku into consideration, at best Palmer is third choice for our wide left/right positions.
The times I saw him playing centrally, he was anonymous, played poorly & looked totally lost & overawed. Tellingly, each time he was withdrawn we looked much better.
It is what it is, & I suppose we'll find out soon enough if Palmer had the noodles to make the grade at City under Guardiola.
I suspect if the club thought he could definitely make it here (like they did with Foden), Cole Palmer would still be a Manchester City player.
Good luck, all the best, & thanks for the fleeting memories Cole. )(