Cole Palmer reveals he didn’t want to join Chelsea
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer admitted that he didn’t want to join Chelsea and that this decision was imposed upon him, as Manchester City refused to send him out on loan, and thus making a decision to permanently leave the club, Palmer’s father Jermaine revealed.
In Prime Video’s documentary England’s Lions: A New Generation, Palmer shared his feelings about the move: “I was so adamant for ages that I wasn’t going. I’ve never moved out of Manchester. I really didn’t want to go. (But) You get a bit disheartened at City why am I not getting a chance to play? You just know when you’re ready to play.”
“I’m thankful,” Cole said. “I have no idea what I’d do if I wasn’t a footballer. Actually zero idea. Growing up with around Wythenshawe, everyone does footy or drugs. There are two paths. I just love football so much. You don’t get there with no graft, do you?”
In the documentary, he told his father, Jermaine, that choosing to play for Chelsea was “the best decision of his career”. He also said he couldn’t imagine any other path for himself.
Chelsea’s rising star
Since his $42.5 million transfer to Chelsea in August 2023, Palmer has become one of the club’s standout players. Over the past two seasons, he has won accolades such as the PFA Young Player of the Year and the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year after scoring 25 goals and providing 13 assists.
This season, his form has remained exceptional under new Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca, with 14 goals and six assists so far.
Palmer’s journey began in Manchester City’s youth academy, where he nearly faced release before earning a second chance. He made 41 senior appearances under Pep Guardiola but struggled to secure a regular starting spot, leading to his eventual transfer to Chelsea in the 2023-24 season.
Palmer’s next appearance for Chelsea will be in the UEFA Conference League last-16 match against FC Copenhagen, followed by a crucial showdown with Arsenal.
