Man City’s risky call to sell Cole Palmer could haunt them

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed that Cole Palmer requested a move away from the club for two years. The attacking phenom previously signed a five-year contract with City in 2021. However, despite being just 21, Palmer asked team officials for a transfer away due to lack of playing time. He was eventually granted his wish on September 1, 2023, with a $50 million transfer to rivals Chelsea.

“In preseason I said stay because Riyad [Mahrez] has gone and [Palmer] said ‘no, I want to leave’,” Guardiola told reporters on Friday. “After two seasons, what could I say? He was asking for two seasons to leave. I said ‘no, stay’. What could we do?”

“I said many times, I didn’t give him the minutes that he maybe deserved and wanted, the minutes he now has at Chelsea. I understand that completely. But I am happy for him because he is a lovely guy. He is playing good and is an incredible threat.”

Although Chelsea continues to struggle as a team, Palmer has been a standout for new coach Mauricio Pochettino. The Englishman has racked up 23 goals and 13 assists in 39 total fixtures with the Blues this season. Palmer was always rated highly at City, but few people imagined that he would make such a big impact so early for Chelsea.

Palmer had tough competition to get into City’s starting XI

Guardiola has claimed that he had no choice but to sanction a deal to sell Palmer. Nevertheless, the budding star may have opted to remain with the reigning European champions if he was given more chances. Along with Mahrez, Palmer was competing for a spot in the starting lineup with stars such as Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and even Kevin De Bruyne.

When fit, the Belgian superstar easily makes any club’s starting XI in the world. Injuries and fatigue, however, have hindered De Bruyne’s playing time during the current campaign. He has managed just 11 combined appearances in Guardiola’s starting lineup in the Premier League and…

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Author : Chris Moore

Publish date : 2024-04-19 19:28:59

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