Cole Palmer has openly admitted his initial uncertainty about leaving Manchester City for Chelsea during the summer transfer window. However, the prospect of securing regular first-team football proved too enticing to resist for the 21-year-old.
On transfer deadline day, Palmer made the move from Manchester to London, signing a substantial seven-year contract with Chelsea. The deal’s potential value could reach £42.5m, factoring in future add-ons and bonus payments.
Palmer wasted no time making an impact at Chelsea, notching four goals in nine Premier League appearances. He displayed composure by scoring the equalizing goal against his former club in the thrilling 4-4 draw on Sunday.
Get Instantly Update By: Joining Our Whatapps and Telegram Channel
His impressive performances earned him a call-up to England’s senior squad for the November Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia. With England already qualified for the tournament, manager Gareth Southgate is likely to provide Palmer with valuable minutes.
In a reflection on his summer move with Sky Sports, Palmer confessed to his initial uncertainty, particularly since he had never experienced a loan spell. After pondering the decision for a couple of days, he concluded that the move to Chelsea was the optimal choice for his long-term career.
Palmer expressed gratitude to Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola for providing him with the opportunity to kick-start his career. However, recognizing the competition at City and the potential new signings, he believed that, for the sake of his career development, he had to make the tough decision to join Chelsea and secure regular playing time.
He shared, “It was a really tough decision, and I didn’t know what I was going to do. But with the competition that’s there, the players they have and those they were going to sign, I made my choice. I was speaking to people at Chelsea, and I spoke to my dad, but I really didn’t know what to do. I was thinking about it for a couple of days, near enough every minute of the day. In the end, I felt that for my career, I had to leave to get regular game time.”
“It was a big move for me as I’d never been out of Manchester. I hadn’t been on loan or anything like that, so to move down here on my own was a big thing. When I arrived, it was difficult as I was staying in a hotel, but I’ve now settled in.”
Palmer added that earning a call-up into England’s squad wasn’t at the forefront of his mind when weighing up whether to move, but he did want to give himself the best opportunity to impress week in and week out.
“[Making the England squad] wasn’t a big part of it. I wasn’t even thinking about an England call-up when I first went to Chelsea. I just wanted more of an opportunity to prove myself. Getting called up is just a bonus.
“I got the news straight after the match [against Manchester City]. My phone was going crazy because I’ve got some City fans who are mates and family.
“So, I read it… and then I read it again when it was confirmed. I rang my dad straightaway, and he was with my mum. I told them first.”