Cole Palmer: 'I was warned against joining Chelsea'

Cameron Smith

• 14 Oct 2024 10:00 BST
• 3 min read

Cole Palmer has revealed that he was warned against joining Chelsea last year.

The England international progressed through the youth ranks at Manchester City, but he opted to leave the club on a permanent deal in 2023 after a lack of first-team opportunities under Pep Guardiola.

Since moving to Chelsea, Palmer has developed into one of the best players in European football and he was named PFA Young Player of the Year for 2023-24 after a stunning debut campaign at Stamford Bridge.

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However, the 22-year-old has admitted that he was advised to remain at Man City before moving to west London.

While on international duty for England, Palmer told ITV Sport: “How do I look back on leaving Man City? Yeah, it was a gamble because I didn’t know what I was going into, I didn’t know the club I was going into.

“I had people telling me, don’t go here, don’t go there. But I just decided what I wanted to do myself and did it.

“To move clubs, it changed my life. In many different ways, leaving Manchester where I grew up, getting away from people I didn’t need to be around. And the football as well obviously.”

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Cole Palmer at Chelsea

Palmer has become a fan favourite since arriving at Chelsea last year and he has tallied a remarkable 51 goal contributions in just 54 games for the Blues.

By comparison, Palmer mustered just 41 senior appearances for Man City, with Guardiola only starting him in 13 first-team matches.

His form last season earned him an inclusion in England’s squad for the 2024 European Championship and despite failing to start a single game during the tournament, Palmer provided an assist in the semi-final and scored during the Three Lions’ defeat to Spain in the final.