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As left-footed attacking players capable of playing on the right or through the middle, it was always going to be difficult for Manchester City to find room for Phil Foden and Cole Palmer.

The academy graduates occupy similar areas of the pitch but had started seven games together for the Blues between November 2021 and August 2023, when Palmer opted to move to Chelsea.

His talent has flourished at Stamford Bridge, but the competition was fierce at the Etihad and as much as hindsight might suggest his £42.5million sale was a mistake, it's still not easy to envisage a role for him at City .

The difficulty of playing them both has also been clear for England. They have started twice together for the Three Lions and both have ended in Wembley defeats, to Iceland in a friendly

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