In Focus: Cole Palmer pushing for more minutes at Manchester City

Cole Palmer is staking a claim for increased game time at Manchester City. 

The attacking midfielder shone as England won the European Under-21 Championship this summer and may have boosted his bid for more minutes at club level in the process. 

He will certainly be hoping for more involvement than last season, having featured infrequently as City claimed an historic Treble. 

Ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, we assess Palmer's chances of securing a more prominent role under Pep Guardiola.

Palmer remained at City last season in the hope of experiencing a breakout campaign but his game time was somewhat limited. 

The 21-year-old was afforded only 14 Premier League appearances of which 12 game off the bench.

Overall, he featured for fewer than 900 minutes across all competitions, playing the full 90 just four times.

Guardiola has admitted that he kept Palmer around with the intention of playing him more regularly but insists that the youngster's late cameos still constitute valuable experience. 

He said: "Maybe [Palmer] didn't have the minutes we expected, he expected or I expected to give to him but there are still important matches and every moment he is going to play will be so important. 

"This type of period — the last 10, 15, 20 minutes — have the same importance as the previous 75."

Palmer has not complained about his lack of action, suggesting he could have made more of his opportunities — though he admits it has been difficult not playing. 

He said: "The season has been tough, I'm not going to lie. When you're not playing it does affect you. 

"When I've played this season, I don't think I've played to the ability I could have. I don't really have any complaints, to be honest. 

"Maybe when I have played, I've been trying that bit