Preferred to Stay" – Cole Palmer Admits He Didn't Want to Leave Man City Before Joining Chelsea in London
Cole Palmer reveals he was eager to remain at Manchester City before choosing to move to Premier League rivals Chelsea two years ago.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Palmer, who progressed through City’s youth academy and made over 40 senior appearances across four seasons, joined Chelsea in the summer of 2023 in pursuit of regular first-team football in the Premier League.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Since then, the attacking midfielder has developed into one of the Premier League’s top talents, recording 39 goals and 21 assists across all competitions. Despite his success, the 22-year-old admitted he initially wanted to remain in his hometown rather than move to the English capital.
WHAT PALMER SAID
“I was so adamant for ages that I wasn’t going. I’ve never moved out of Manchester,” he said on the Prime Video documentary England’s Lions: A New Generation. “I really didn’t want to go, but you get a bit disheartened at City – why am I not getting a chance to play? You just know when you’re ready to play. I’m thankful. I have no idea what I’d do if I wasn’t a footballer. Actually zero idea. Growing up with around Wythenshawe, everyone does footy or drugs. There are two paths. I just love football so much. You don’t get there with no graft, do you?”
WHAT NEXT FOR PALMER?
Palmer could feature when Chelsea face Copenhagen in the Conference League on Thursday, although coach Enzo Maresca expressed concerns about his fitness following a recent illness.
