Cole is red hot as he plays twice in one day for Blues
COLE Palmer has revealed it was his idea to play for City’s Under-23s just two hours after coming off the bench in the Premier League for the first team on Saturday.
The 19-year-old could have been forgiven for putting his feet up after making his second Premier League appearance as a 90th-minute substitute in the 2-0 win over Burnley.
However, he was later named on the teamsheet for the Premier League 2 fixture against Leicester over the road from the Etihad at the Academy Stadium at 7.30pm, scoring a brilliant hat-trick in a 5-0 win to complete a memorable day.
Reflecting on his fine performance for the Elite Development Squad, Palmer said it was his aim all along to play with his academy teammates, despite knowing he had a first-team game to be ready for.
He said: “Playing with the firstteam at 3pm then driving over to the Academy Stadium and scoring a hat-trick and another three points, it was a good day. I saw that the EDS were playing at 7.30pm and the first-team were at 3pm.
“So, I thought if I don’t get 30 minutes or something I asked if I could come over and play and the answer was yes.
“I’m doing what I love - I can’t complain. It’s hard to keep focused and keep the energy all day but, apart from that, I enjoyed it. I just try to entertain and score goals for the fans and do what I do.
“Everyone wants to play games so when I saw the opportunity to play I thought I might as well come and play and that’s what I did.”
Palmer is on the crest of a wave this season, scoring his first senior goal for City in the Carabao Cup win over Wycombe, as well as making a blistering start to life with England’s Under-21s with two goals in three games.
But the exciting forward says he will continue to work hard and wait for his chances, with opportunities like his two-game day on Saturday something he will continue to look out for if it boosts his senior prospects.
“It’s been a top season so far. Hopefully, I can get more minutes and keep pushing with the firstteam,” he continued.
“I think it’s just about timing. I’ve just got to be patient and wait for a chance with the first-team and, hopefully, when it comes like against Wycombe, I’ve just got to take it and make an impact.
“All the first-team are there to help you and the staff as well. I really enjoy going in and playing around them. I’m only going to improve and get better, so I’ve got to keep pushing.
“That’s what I’ve got to do and now I want to kick on from here.”