Pep Guardiola has been warned by former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit that Manchester City’s rising talent, Oscar Bobb, may follow in the footsteps of Cole Palmer by leaving the club if he doesn’t receive enough playing time.
Bobb, a promising Norwegian star, was poised to step into a bigger role following Julian Alvarez’s departure to Atletico Madrid in a £82 million move.
Alvarez, who netted 11 goals and contributed nine assists in the Premier League last season, left a gap in City’s attack that Bobb seemed ready to fill.
Earlier this year, Bobb signed a new contract with Manchester City and showed his potential during pre-season, even earning a starting spot in the Community Shield match against Manchester United.
However, just before the start of the season, the 21-year-old suffered a fractured leg during training, sidelining him for three to four months and putting a halt to his breakthrough opportunity.
Despite his injury, Arsenal legend Petit believes Bobb might still need to seek opportunities elsewhere once he’s back in action, drawing comparisons to Cole Palmer’s situation.
Palmer left City for Chelsea in a £42.5 million transfer after finding limited opportunities at the Etihad.
The move proved successful, with Palmer contributing 32 goal involvements and earning the PFA Young Player of the Year award in his first season at Stamford Bridge.
Speaking to TVKampen, Petit expressed concerns about Bobb’s future at City. “It’s a risk for Manchester City that Oscar Bobb will want to follow Cole Palmer out of the club, and that decision will come down to playing time,” Petit said. “This guy has shown great qualities on the pitch, but his injury has set him back. Guardiola will likely be patient with him, but if Bobb doesn’t get the minutes he desires, it could become a problem.”
Palmer, who joined City’s academy at eight years old, had long been considered one of the club’s brightest prospects.Despite flashes of brilliance and attempts by Guardiola to integrate him into the first team, Palmer sought consistent playing time, which he found after his move to Chelsea.
Bobb, who came through City’s academy after joining from Norwegian side Valerenga in 2019, similarly made his mark, scoring his first Premier League goal in January to seal a dramatic 3-2 win over Newcastle. His efforts were rewarded with a contract extension until 2029.
Following the signing, Bobb expressed his willingness to remain patient, stating, “This is the best place for a young player. I’ve learned so much from Pep, the coaching staff, and my teammates. I’m happy to keep working hard every day and help the club achieve success. If I have to wait a bit longer for more playing time, I don’t mind.”
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