“What could we do?” Pep Guardiola reveals he failed to convince Chelsea star Cole Palmer to stay at Manchester City

Cole Palmer is originally from the Manchester City academy, who made his first team debut in 2020.

“What could we do?” Pep Guardiola reveals he failed to convince Chelsea star Cole Palmer to stay at Manchester City

Cole Palmer and Pep Guardiola (Image via Imago)

Cole Palmer is currently one of the biggest stars of the Premier League. The 21-year-old has scored 22 goals and assisted 11 times in all competitions. Originally from the Manchester City academy, Palmer left the club in 2023 after 13 years. 

Now he will face his former club in the 2023/24 FA Cup semi-finals. Cole Palmer has already faced City twice before in the league, scoring once against them and hopes to contribute to his team’s search for a trophy. 

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Before the start of the game, City manager Pep Guardiola talked to the press. He was asked about why he easily let go of Palmer, who was already a huge prospect, and the Spaniard revealed that it was Palmer who wanted to go. Guardiola tried to convince him to stay, especially with Riyad Mahrez moving to Al-Ahli, but the youngster was adamant to leave. 

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He was asking for two seasons to leave and I said stay. He said he wanted to leave. What could we do? I said stay because Riyad is gone but for two seasons he wanted to leave. 
Pep Guardiola in the pre-match press conference

Palmer featured for City in 41 matches (started in 13), making his first team debut in 2020. He had his first start in 2022 and since then has been a fringe player. Ever since joining Chelsea, he has become a starter and probably one of the best in the league. 

Mauricio Pochettino grateful City let go of Cole Palmer

After City agreed to let go of Palmer, Chelsea purchased the youngster for the price of £42.5 million. Although Chelsea are stuck midtable, often shifting between 11th, 10th and 9th, they have a star in Palmer. Even Mauricio Pochettino was happy City was ready to let go of the youngster.  

Cole Palmer
Cole Palmer (Image via Imago)
He understood perfectly that maybe for different reasons he wanted to prove himself in a different club. I think today we say thank you also to Manchester City for giving the possibility to move to another club. 
Mauricio Pochettino in the pre-match press conference

Chelsea and City face off at the Wembley Stadium on 20th March. The winner of this tie moves on to the finals of the FA Cup, a trophy both teams need. So far both teams have played each other twice this season, with the score lines of 4-4 and 1-1. 

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