John Stones has played alongside a wide range of players during his time at Manchester City.
Signed from Everton back in the 2016 summer transfer window, City paid £50m to bring the defender to the Etihad Stadium.
During his time at the club, in addition to making 263 appearances and lifting multiple trophies, the Englishman has seen many players make moves in and out of the Manchester club.
Now in the midst of his ninth season as a City player, Stones has opened up about the departure of one particular figure who walked away from the champions to start a new chapter elsewhere.
John Stones says he was upset when Man City sold Cole Palmer
Speaking in a recent England press conference, Stones said this when asked about Cole Palmer and his recent run of form.
He said: “I was a huge fan of Cole as soon as he came into our first team setup, what he brought to the game, how he played as if he was in the park.
“I was sad to see him leave, [I] made him aware of that but what he’s gone on and done is a credit to him, how he’s conducted himself how he’s stepped up in big moments is honestly credit to Cole and what he’s doing.
“He’s in a good moment and I hope that continues for as long as possible and what, as you mentioned before, he’s done for England and scoring in the final, he’s experienced those big games now and big moments and hopefully more of that to come.”
Jamie Carragher claims Guardiola got it ‘wrong’ about Palmer
After emerging from City’s youth academy to make 41 first-team appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side, Palmer joined Chelsea in a deal worth £42.5m (via BBC Sport) during the 2023 summer transfer window.
Back in July, Palmer said he didn’t like not starting games at City on a regular basis, which is what he has been doing at Chelsea.
Specifically, the 21-year-old has appeared in 54 games for the West London club, bagging 31 goals and delivering 20 assists along the way.
On the subject of the Englishman’s move to Stamford Bridge, Jamie Carragher said this about Guardiola’s decision to sell Palmer.
He said: “It is one he got wrong. But you know what I almost admire Pep. I don’t think he would have envisaged what was going to happen at Chelsea last season. But number one he has got Foden and Bernardo Silva.
“I think managers in the past would almost not sanction that deal because he has gone to Chelsea, another big club, he could do really well, it makes me look silly.
“But fair play to Pep Guardiola he has given the lad a chance, and fair play to the lad to go out and go and play.”
Now that Stones has shared how dismayed he was to see Palmer leave City, this showcases how highly the defender thought of him.
