In Focus: Palmer can take on Mahrez role at City

Cole Palmer has enjoyed a promising start to the season at Manchester City.

The 21-year-old scored a stunner in the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal before bagging a crucial equaliser against Sevilla in last week's UEFA Super Cup success.

However, Palmer was an unused substitute in City's 1-0 victory over Newcastle after previously featuring from the bench in the opening weekend win at Burnley. 

After Riyad Mahrez's recent move to Saudi side Al-Ahli, we shine the spotlight on the Algerian's potential in-house replacement at the Etihad.

Summer success

Palmer went into the new domestic campaign on the back of international success with England.

The Mancunian played a key role as the Young Lions lifted the European Under-21 Championship for the first time since 1984.

He featured in all but one of the six games and really turned up for Lee Carsley's side in the latter rounds.

Palmer scored and registered two assists in the 3-0 semi-final triumph over Israel, before creating Curtis Jones' winner against Spain in the final.

Uncertain future

Despite his international exploits and impressive start to the season, Palmer's future could still lie away from City.

West Ham and Borussia Dortmund have each been touted with a move for the forward this summer.

Manager Pep Guardiola said: "I don't think a loan [for Palmer] is going to happen.

"He's going to stay or we are going to sell."

On his situation, Palmer added: "I just want to play football. So whatever the best decision is when we speak together, that is what I will do.

"Obviously the best scenario is to stay at City and play but obviously you know what the competition is like."

Risky business

Offloading Palmer would be a bold move by the Premier League champions, though.

The Englishman's skill set makes him the natural heir to Mahrez, who forged a reputation as one of City's most decisive players whether as a starter or from the bench.

Palmer's left-footed curling effort against Arsenal was eerily reminiscent of many of the Algerian's strikes.

He also possesses the ex-Leicester ace's deadly dribbling ability, evidenced by the fact no City player completed more take-ons per 90 minutes in the Premier League last season (3.52).

On top of being a cost-effective replacement, Palmer's ability to operate in the middle of the park softens the blow of Kevin De Bruyne's serious hamstring injury.

The Belgian is expected to miss three to four months of action after undergoing surgery and with games coming thick and fast for City, versatility will be high on Guardiola's agenda.

Decision time

Of course, if City spend big in the remaining days of the summer transfer window, letting Palmer go would perhaps not be such a risk.

Rennes winger Jeremy Doku has been heavily linked with a switch to Manchester, while there is a small chance the move for West Ham playmaker Lucas Paqueta could be revived.

However, keeping hold of an academy graduate with such obvious potential feels like a no-brainer — even if fresh faces are brought in.

And with the Treble winners bidding to compete on all fronts again, Palmer's need for more regular game time should be met.