"Literally been available under their noses for free" - Pat Nevin labels Manchester City's decision to sell 2 stars 'an utter embarrassment'

Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin has slammed Manchester City's decision to part ways with Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers in the past. While the Cityzens are going through a tough run, both players have been excellent for their respective clubs.

The Cityzens have, shockingly, won just one of their last 12 games across competitions. While Rodri is out for the season due to an injury, the likes of Phil Foden and Kevin de Bruyne have failed to make an impact. Meanwhile, former Manchester City academy stars Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers have been phenomenal for Chelsea and Aston Villa respectively.

In his column for BBC, Pat Nevin slammed City's decision to sell them, writing (via Inside Futbol):

"As the first team creaks and groans with age, eyes must be on at least two of the perfect replacements, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers, who had literally been available under their noses for free all along, and they let them go. Pep Guardiola bats it off as best he can and there is the old PSR argument for having sold Palmer, but in reality, it is an utter embarrassment.”

He compared these decisions to Chelsea's past decision to let De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah leave, saying:

“It hasn’t quite reached Chelsea proportions. They once thought getting rid of Kevin de Bruyne and Mo Salah for a combined profit of around £10m, was the height of good sense. That’s the gold standard of short-sighted business decisions, but City’s recent howler looks bad enough.”

Manchester City sit seventh in the Premier League table after 17 games and 22nd in the UEFA Champions League table.

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Taking a look at Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers' careers after leaving Manchester City

Morgan Rogers joined Manchester City's U23 side from West Bromwich Albion U18 in 2019. He never made a senior appearance for the club before joining Middlesbrough in the summer of 2023. He registered seven goals and nine assists in 33 games for them before Aston Villa signed him in February 2024.

Rogers has been excellent for Villa, especially this season. He's scored five goals and provided four assists in 23 games for Unai Emery's side this campaign. He registered a goal and an assist in Aston Villa's 2-1 win over City on December 21.

Cole Palmer, meanwhile, came through Manchester City's academy and made 41 senior appearances for them, contributing six goals and two assists. However, a lack of consistent playing time saw him move to Chelsea in 2023.

Palmer has been incredible for the Blues, registering 36 goals and 21 assists in 64 games. He also won the PFA Young Player of the Year award for the 2023-24 season with Chelsea.