Cole Palmer is a player Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff ‘loved’ during his time at Manchester City, according to a new report.
Palmer made headlines at the weekend for scoring for Chelsea against City in a pulsating 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge.
City and Chelsea put on a real show in west London and in the end, a draw was probably a fair result.
It was the first time Cole Palmer had faced City since leaving in a £42.5 million transfer deal on transfer deadline day. It was always going to be fascinating to see how he’d get on – and he definitely impressed.
Jamie Carragher said on commentary that he had been brilliant.
Palmer left City to get regular game time, but it’s clear he still has a great deal of respect for his old club – and the feeling from Pep’s staff is mutual…
Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff loved Cole Palmer when he was at Manchester City
The Daily Mail have provided some details about how Palmer was viewed during his time at City.
The winger may never have been a first-team regular at the Etihad, but he was apparently very popular with Pep’s coaching staff.
According to the report, Guardiola’s staff ‘loved’ him. Palmer was spotted chatting with some of them after Sunday’s 4-4 draw.
Palmer apparently still wants to go back to City so that he can say goodbye properly to those who aided his development and took care of him.
When it came to leaving the club, it all happened very quickly in the end. News of Chelsea’s interest only became public a couple of days before deadline day. So Palmer’s departure was fairly hurried.
But he had a great relationship with Pep’s coaches and is keen to come and say goodbye properly at some point.
That point may not be during the international break though, with Palmer having now been called up to the England squad for the first by Gareth Southgate.
Palmer’s exit a shame, but it suited all parties
It really is a shame that Palmer left City in the summer, especially because Riyad Mahrez had left the club and he seemed like a natural replacement.
Pep has said that he did say to Palmer – whom Joleon Lescott believes is an ‘exceptional talent’ – that more minutes would be in the offing as a result of the Algerian’s departure.
But Palmer’s mind was made up. So far, his decision to leave has been vindicated as he already looks like one of Chelsea’s best players. Crucially for him, he is already playing regular football for the Blues.
Time will tell if City will come to regret losing him.
