Cole Palmer is hoping to avoid more injury struggles after making changes to his approach to training.
Palmer, 20, burst into Pep Guardiola's squad in 2020 and looked to be continuing his progress last season with his first Premier League start and first Champions League goal for Manchester City. However, a man-of-the-match appearance in a strong City side at Swindon in January turned out to be his last minutes of the campaign as a side injury proved problematic to overcome; as the weeks turned into months on the sidelines, the club even considered surgery before deciding against.
Seeing his progress stunted was difficult for Palmer, with competition in Guardiola's group so fierce that any time out injured risks being pushed down the pecking order from either those in the squad, those pushing up from the academy, or potential new signings. The England Under-21 international has missed one game this season through fitness but is putting more focus on his strength and conditioning to try to avoid problems arising again.
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"Last season was tough with injury because I didn't realise how long it was going to be," he said. "It could have been a few weeks but it ended up being a few months, which was difficult.
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"Obviously after the game at Swindon when I'd played well and scored it was difficult. I've just got to get in the gym, strengthen up and keep everything strong and hopefully that will be ok."
Palmer started as a No.8 alongside Bernardo Silva for the charity match against Barcelona in midweek. The academy graduate didn't see everything go his way - he was involved in a shouting match with Ruben Dias at one point over a disagreement - but finished off City's second goal that he had helped to make in another reminder of his attacking prowess.
Having enjoyed gracing the Camp Nou in front of a bumper crowd, Palmer is keen to show the manager that he can be counted on to deliver whatever the circumstances. "It's every kid's dream to play here and as soon as you walk out you realise how big and historic the stadium is," he said.
"It was amazing - to play here in front of 90,000 was really good. Of course when you score it feels nice but it's on to the next one now; you have to work hard and hopefully as the season goes on I can contribute more and more.
"I just want to play as much as I can, get the trust of the manager so he plays me more and be ready when he puts me on more. I'm always here to be ready when called on so I just have to keep working hard and my chances will come."
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