Pep Guardiola has said that he did offer Cole Palmer more game time at Manchester City, but the youngster turned it down.
Palmer was one of several outgoings in the summer transfer window, joining Chelsea for a reported £42.5 million all-in.
City fans watched Palmer enjoy a fairly strong start to the new season for City. But he ended up leaving after the Blues came in for him.
It surprised some that City were prepared to let him go, following the sale of Riyad Mahrez. But Chelsea did pay a lot of money for him, and it is understandable the club made the decision they did.
Pep Guardiola has been speaking about Palmer, as he prepares to face City today for the first time since leaving the club…
Pep Guardiola makes claim about Cole Palmer ahead of Chelsea vs Manchester City
After Pep was quoted as saying Palmer wanted more game time, some more Guardiola press conference quotes emerged following the embargo.
Pep was always likely to be asked about Palmer ahead of this game with Chelsea. Especially because Palmer has made a fairly bright start for the Blues.
The Spaniard spoke about his exit, and revealed he did actually offer Palmer more game time after the exit of Mahrez – but the player just did not want to stay.
He said (via Daily Mail): “I said to him ‘Riyad Mahrez is leaving, you are going to get a chance here’. He said ‘No, I’m not going to play here, I want to leave’, so I said ‘OK, leave!'”
Pep is pleased Palmer has started well at Stamford Bridge, adding: “He’s a young player, he’s a big talent, huge talent, otherwise he wouldn’t have been here. He has an incredible potential, he’s a nice lad, and he’s playing really good!”
Palmer can’t be blamed for wanting to leave Man City
It is interesting to hear Pep say that he did say Palmer would get more game time with Riyad Mahrez leaving.
The manager did involve him quite a bit right at the start of the 2023/24 season.
But clearly, Palmer just felt like he would have a greater chance to play regularly if he left. So far, he has been vindicated in his decision. He already looks like one of Chelsea’s best players.
He was always really on the fringes at City, so he can’t be blamed for leaving.
Hopefully the travelling City fans will give him a good reception today – there is no reason why he shouldn’t get one.
