Cole Palmer showed he has “the talent and ingredients” to make a big impact for Manchester City after playing a starring role in their FA Cup third-round win at Swindon, according to assistant manager Rodolfo Borrell.
The 19-year-old midfielder scored one goal and made another against the League Two side in his first FA Cup appearance after being handed a start in the absence of several first-team players who tested positive for Covid-19.
“He is a great player who is still developing quite a lot, but there is a lot of talent there,” Borrell told ITV Sport. “Hopefully very soon he can play more games with us like [team-mate and England midfielder] Phil Foden a couple of years ago.
“They are completely different players. Phil Foden has had more opportunities and he is established. Cole has the talent and ingredients.”
City manager Pep Guardiola was missing from the dugout at a packed County Ground, as he and 20 of his players and staff were isolating after testing positive for the virus.
Despite seven first-team players being among those who could not travel, the Premier League leaders named a strong team and were merciless against a side 72 places below them in the English football pyramid.
Bernardo Silva met a low cross from Palmer to put last year’s beaten semi-finalists ahead early on, with Gabriel Jesus making it two after the Robins gifted the visitors possession on the edge of the area.
Ilkay Gundogan beat Lewis Ward with a free-kick from 25 yards to make it 3-0, but the Swindon goalkeeper did well to save a Jesus penalty minutes later after Silva was fouled by Jordan Lyden inside the box.
Harry McKirdy pulled a goal back for the hosts late on, only for Palmer to complete the scoring for City with a brilliant finish from a tight angle.
Palmer said he “enjoyed” the game and hopes Guardiola did the same, despite not being there.
“There is always that bit of pressure coming into the team being young but you have to go out there and enjoy it,” he said.
BBC.COM