Cole Palmer has shared the blunt first message he sent to his former Manchester City teammates after confirming his transfer to Chelsea.
Having progressed through City’s academy and played with the senior team for three years, Palmer made a high-profile move to Chelsea for £40 million, committing to a seven-year contract with the London club.
In his debut season at Stamford Bridge, the English forward had a breakout year, scoring 22 goals and providing 11 assists across 34 Premier League matches, which earned him a spot in the England squad for Euro 2024. ..Continue Reading
Now, at 22, Palmer has opened up about the first thing he told his City teammates right after his Chelsea deal was finalized.
In an interview with GQ, the winger revealed he had been asking City manager Pep Guardiola for years to let him go out on loan to gain regular playing time.
Palmer had hoped to secure a place in Guardiola’s starting lineup, but after realizing this wouldn’t be possible—despite Riyad Mahrez’s departure to Saudi Arabia—he knew he needed to make a permanent move.
“I remember training on a Wednesday at City in the afternoon, and the news was ‘they’re trying to agree a fee,’” he told GQ.
“Every time the ball went out I’d ask the kit man or the doctor if they’ve agreed the fee yet.”
However, by the end of training that day, the deal still wasn’t finalized, so Palmer had to bid farewell to his teammates with a straightforward message on WhatsApp.
He added: “I didn’t really get a chance to see many people and say I’m going. I just had to get my stuff. I messaged the group chat, said ‘Thanks and everything. I’m gone.’ That was it.”
Despite the unceremonious exit from his former team, there appears to be no bad blood between City and Palmer, as the Englishman’s former boss has since praised him after his impressive displays for Chelsea.
Speaking in February, Guardiola said: “After two or three seasons he wanted more minutes than the last season. I understand completely.
“We knew the quality he has and the impact he has shown this season is enormous.
“It is not just goals and assists, it is the quality. He is an incredible threat for Chelsea. In the future you will not forget. It looks easy, but it’s not.”
