An undisclosed factor influencing Manchester City’s sale of Cole Palmer has emerged, potentially leading to future regrets for Pep Guardiola.
Cole Palmer’s transfer from Man City to Chelsea last summer initially caused surprise, yet he has proven to be the standout acquisition of the season.
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The talented forward has justified his £42.5 million transfer fee, contributing 25 goals and 13 assists across all competitions this season.
Currently, Palmer shares the Premier League’s top scorer position with ex-City colleague Erling Haaland, each netting 20 goals—a development few anticipated.
The upcoming FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday will see Palmer compete against his old team, making City’s decision to transfer him a focal point of the pre-match discourse.
Palmer made his mark on City’s first team in the 2021-22 season but found playing time scarce last season, trailing behind Bernardo Silva and Riyad Mahrez for the right-wing spot.
Despite City’s intentions to retain Palmer, promising increased playtime following Mahrez’s move to Al-Ahli, Palmer was already intent on leaving.
The Athletic reports that City contemplated a loan for Palmer in the lead-up to the summer, driven by a particular concern.
Midway through the last season, Guardiola and his coaching staff observed a notable dip in Palmer’s confidence compared to the prior year, as evidenced by his demeanor.
Speculation suggests Palmer’s development was impacted by the exit of Guardiola’s assistant Juanma Lillo in 2022, who had been instrumental in Palmer’s rise to the first team.
City’s plan to loan out Palmer aimed to bolster his confidence and reignite his passion, a goal he has evidently achieved at Chelsea.
Guardiola’s emphasis on body language explains City’s loan consideration for Palmer.
Palmer’s limited 850 minutes on the pitch last season were due to Bernardo and Mahrez’s superior form, and City’s acceptance of a Premier League rival’s offer for a player set on departure was logical.
Nonetheless, in retrospect, Guardiola and City may reflect on Palmer’s departure with a sense of missed opportunity.
