Joe Cole has suggested that Pep Guardiola has made a big mistake at Manchester City.

After getting knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid last night, the Blues have another big game ahead of them this weekend.

On Saturday, City will be in action at Wembley Stadium, taking on Chelsea in the semi-final of the FA Cup.

Looking ahead to this game, one pundit and former Chelsea player has claimed that Guardiola may have made a rare mistake that could cost his side in the upcoming showdown.

Cole says Guardiola may have made a big mistake

Speaking in a recent livestream on City’s YouTube channel, Cole had this on the subject of the upcoming FA Cup clash.

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He said: “How much would Chelsea have to rely on Cole Palmer if they are to progress to the FA Cup final?

“I think we’ve relied on him all season. He’s been such a revelation, signing of the season.

“It’s not often that Pep may have got one wrong but I think he might have got one wrong with Cole. Sorry Pep, I still think you’re the best.” 

After working his way through the youth ranks at City and making 41 appearances for the first team, the winger was sold to Chelsea during the previous summer transfer window in a deal worth an overall reported fee of £42.5m.

Cole Palmer has been incredible since leaving Man City

With 38 games now under his belt for the west London club in all competitions, the 21-year-old has scored 23 goals and delivered 13 assists.

Bearing in mind how Palmer only managed to score six goals and provide two assists in his 41 senior games for City, it’s clear that the winger has stepped up massively and become a key figure for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

While it’s easy to assume that Guardiola signed off on the sale of Palmer because he thought he wasn’t good enough to be a regular figure in his City team, the Spaniard revealed the winger asked to leave the club so he could get game time elsewhere.

Looking ahead to this weekend’s big match at Wembley, we feel that Palmer is someone that the Citizens will have to be wary of given how impressive he’s been this season in terms of delivering goal contributions for his side.