Fans say Pep Guardiola is ‘apologising for letting him leave’ as Man City boss chats to Chelsea’s Cole Palmer after win
FANS are convinced Pep Guardiola has apologised to Cole Palmer for letting him leave Manchester City.
The forward joined Chelsea last summer in a £42.5million transfer to get more game time.
Palmer, 22, has gone on to become one of the most exciting talents in the Premier League since arriving at Stamford Bridge.
Last season, he scored 22 goals and assisted 11 more in 33 league appearances.
His performances saw him earn a call from Gareth Southgate to go to the Euros with England.
Palmer’s exit did not weaken Man City too much as they went on to win the Premier League for the fourth consecutive season.
After Chelsea’s first game of the new season, Palmer had a catch-up with his former manager Pep Guardiola.
The Spaniard was the happier of the two, having seen his side come out 2-0 victors at Stamford Bridge.
The pair were caught on camera having a conversation as they made their way off the pitch.
The video has made its way to social media and fans are convinced they know what Guardiola was saying to Palmer.
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One posted: “Pep explaining to him why moving to Chelsea wasn’t a good move.”
A second wrote: “Pep is apologising for letting him leave.”
Dave Kidd: Why I’ve voted for Cole Palmer to be Footballer of the Year despite Chelsea woes
By Dave Kidd
THE voting for the Footballer of the Year award closes on Tuesday and, unlike many, I’ve gone for Cole Palmer.
Most Football Writers’ Association members vote by starting with the likely Prem champs and work backwards. So the winner will be Phil Foden, Rodri, Declan Rice or Martin Odegaard.
There is dissent if a player from a less successful team wins, like David Ginola from mid-table Spurs in Manchester United’s ’99 Treble- winning year.
But enjoying a superb individual season in a poor team is a greater achievement.
And for Palmer — just 21 and in his first season as a regular starter — to have chalked up 23 goals and 13 assists in such a basket-case team as Chelsea, makes him this season’s outstanding player.
Read Dave Kidd’s full column here
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A third commented: “Guardiola is really asking him if he was sure about signing that new long contract.”
A fourth said: “Pep’s saying if I kept you, then I would win the league with ten games to spare.”
Another added: “Pep is asking Cole if he wants to come back to City, obviously.”
Palmer has been rewarded for his fine form at Stamford Bridge with a bumper new contract.
He has signed a new contract that will run until 2033 and will receive a pay rise from his previous £60,000-per-week salary.
He has also been nominated for both the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award and the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
Harry Redknapp's 2024/25 season predictions
TOP FOUR
ARSENAL, MANCHESTER CITY, LIVERPOOL and TOTTENHAM — and I’ve got a really strong feeling for Arsenal this season. A few of Man City’s star players are getting a bit older. There’s been nothing between the two teams over the past two years.
RELEGATION
EVERTON (18th), SOUTHAMPTON (19th), LEICESTER (20th) — I like Sean Dyche and Everton are a great club with brilliant, knowledgeable fans. They’re just badly run. They need to go down to rebuild to come back again. But the key is new owners.
TOP SCORER
ERLING HAALAND — I can’t see anyone taking his crown off him. He’s a goal machine, isn’t he? If I can get him at evens, I might lump on!
MOST ASSISTS
MARTIN ODEGAARD — He’ll be the catalyst for Arsenal’s surge to the title. I can see it now. He’s a superb player and he makes it look so easy.
CARABAO CUP
TOTTENHAM — Ange Postecoglou will break Spurs’ trophy curse. Most big teams will mess about with this trophy, but Tottenham will go full steam.
FA CUP
LIVERPOOL — I fancy Arne Slot to stamp his mark on English football quickly and there’s few better ways to do it than lifting this famous old trophy.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
REAL MADRID — Carlo Ancelotti is bullish about their chances. He has said that with Kylian Mbappe, it’s the best team they’ve had for a long time.
EUROPA LEAGUE
MANCHESTER UNITED — Clubs seem to have stopped sneering at this competition. And Spurs and United should be going both barrels for it.
CONFERENCE LEAGUE
CHELSEA — The Luxembourg champions could be dangerous! Joking aside, the Blues must win it.