Pep Guardiola has revealed former Manchester City star Cole Palmer 'asked him to leave the club for 'two seasons' before he finally made the move to Chelsea in the summer.
The 21-year-old is enjoying a sensational debut season at Stamford Bridge, with Palmer rising to the top of the Premier League top-scorers chart, having found the back of the net 20 times this season.
On Monday, he would score four times, to score his second hat-trick of the 2023-24 campaign, earning the plaudits from many from within the world of football, including his former manager.
But in his press conference ahead of City's FA Cup semi-final agaisnt Chelsea, Guardiola had tried to convince Palmer to to stay despite the midfielder asking on multiple occasions to leave the club.
The City boss said: 'He was asking for two seasons to leave Man City. I said: "Stay." He wanted to leave. What can we do?!'
During his last season at Manchester City
'He’s an exceptional player with super potential... I didn't give him the minutes he deserves that he now has at Chelsea.'
chris_lamboo
575
FIFA have arrested two Arsenal supporters and recovered Cole Palmer’s hat trick balls, a UEFA Champion League Trophy 🏆,and some stolen Chelsea Jerseys , Liverpool’s balls,Man City’s Super Cup Jerseys 😃😃😃
Davichi
27
The way some fans reason is unbelievable. City are currently topping the league while Chelsea his struggling the find their identity and you think Pep should regret letting go of a player who wanted to leave? On what grounds? He hasn't performed better than some City stars and the fact is that if he comes back to City today, he won't be a guaranteed starter so what is there to regret? Palmer leaving worked out well for him because he got to show what he's capable of doing earlier than he would have been able at his former club. On the other hand, City isn't lacking in the position where he plays so it's a win-win for both.