Man City have already found their Cole Palmer replacement without a transfer

There's nothing supporters can get behind more, can relate to as much or love as fiercely as a young lad coming up through the ranks and becoming a star on the biggest stage.

Phil Foden is beloved not just because he's a sensational footballer but even more because he's from just down the road and has been a Manchester City fan all his life. But at a club the size and ambition of the Blues, it's becoming harder and harder for those kids to make it to the first team, especially in a day and age where clubs are rewarded for selling products of their academy.

As (usually) no transfer fee is involved in the rearing and nurturing of talented prospects, when they are sold the fee goes down in the books as a complete profit. That's certainly been useful for Chelsea on their perplexing spending spree in the face of FFP and City have used it to their advantage as well.

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This past summer alone £90m was raised through the sales of talented prospects Shea Charles, James Trafford, Carlos Borges, Dire Mebude and Cole Palmer. While all the deals make sense and it's hard to turn down such great money for players with such little experience, it doesn't stop it from stinging when City allow potential stars to leave, especially in the case of Palmer.

The versatile and talented forward was thought of in the same bracket as Foden and though last season was a disappointment as injury halted his progress, it looked as though the new campaign would be his breakout year. It started with a good Euro Under-21 tournament in which his contributions in the semi and final helped England win the prestigious trophy.

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