Oscar Bobb is entering Cole Palmer territory to force Man City hand

Phil Foden was always going to be the benchmark from the Manchester City academy but was never intended to be reached.

As much as Foden showed the path to the first team from the academy was possible, he had enough potential and talent to become one of the best players in world football. Pep Guardiola was wowed by the 16-year-old, and at 23 he won the two biggest individual awards in the Premier League.

Only one City youngster has come close to Foden's level since and that was Cole Palmer in the first half of the 2021/22 season. Then 19, he scored a classy goal off the bench against Club Brugge in the Champions League, made an assured Premier League debut against Everton and then ran the show in a strong FA Cup team at Swindon.

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Even if the opponents were not the stiffest tests, Palmer outshining senior stars could not be ignored. Unfortunately for him and for City, that Swindon game proved to be his last of the season as injuries meant City never saw the best of him again, although Palmer produced similar levels in the European Championship this summer when he outperformed expectations and more experienced teammates.

Oscar Bobb is entering that territory at City this summer. Pre-season friendlies cannot reveal too much yet Bobb has been the standout player in both matches, outperforming Jack Grealish and Kalvin Phillips as well as the many academy players that are out there.

Guardiola has already given Bobb opportunities beyond his years, bringing him on or starting him in pressured situations and more often than not those tests have been passed. The Premier