Cole Palmer decided to leave in pursuit of more consistent playing time after making 41 senior appearances for City in three years. Palmer turned 21 in May of last year.
Palmer has thrived at Chelsea, where he has made his way into the senior England squad and amassed 21 goals and 21 assists in 28 games after City paid a substantial £42.5 million for a player with little first-team experience.
After two or three seasons, he expressed a desire for greater minutes than the previous campaign. Before Palmer got ready to play his former team on Saturday night, Guardiola said, “I understand completely.”
Cole Palmer would be here if he had the minutes I handed to Phil [Foden] at the outset, but I withheld them from him. That is my duty. Why? Because of Phil, Riyad Mahrez, and Bernardo Silva. I decided to go with the others at that time.”
The City manager continued by saying that it’s common for young players to move on in these kinds of situations: “We always want young players to stay, but this is normal.”
“After the first and second seasons, things are good, but by the third, players are saying, ‘Oh guys, I want to play, I don’t want to sit on the bench.'” It’s typical. We as a club are aware. I’m overjoyed for him since we received an offer from Chelsea, a wonderful elite team. Things like these occur in all clubs.”
Palmer acknowledged that he had trouble deciding to leave City, but the attraction of playing more regularly was too strong to resist.
It was a very difficult decision to leave when I decided to move here with my family,” Palmer told Chelsea media.
“However, I thought I was prepared to play every week and show off my skills. Thus, I would want to thank the club and all of my supporters.
“It all comes down to the lads, who have been amazing with me since I arrived, the club providing the opportunity, and the manager [Mauricio Pochettino] giving me the freedom.” I’m having fun here because I’ve quickly adjusted.”