Cole Palmer reveals Chelsea shock after £42.5m transfer from Man City
Few could have believed how successful the attacker’s first season at Chelsea would be.
Cole Palmer has admitted even he has been taken aback at just how successful his first season at Chelsea has been.
The 22-year-old netted 25 goals in his maiden campaign at the London club, following his £42.5m transfer from Manchester City last August. Palmer has frequently been Chelsea’s go-to guy, and his contributions were a huge factor in the Blues securing a sixth-place finish and a spot in Europe next term.
Pep Guardiola admitted he tried to convince Palmer to stay last summer but could not persuade the academy graduate, who was determined to leave in order to play more regular first-team football. The winger didn’t start a single Premier League game last season prior to City being crowned champions in May 2023, but feels he’s justified that decision.
“I wanted to play football and show everyone what I could do. I felt I was ready, but I didn’t think it would go this well,” Palmer admitted during a recent interview with the Mirror.
“It’s my first season and I thought I’d go there, hopefully play - but it’s gone much better than I could have imagined. I definitely feel I was justified.
“I came to play football. I made a difficult decision to leave Man City and go to Chelsea but thankfully it’s paying off and hopefully it will continue to do so.”
Palmer earned several individual awards for his outstanding 2023/24 campaign, including the Premier League Young Player of the Season, while he has also earned a spot in Gareth Southgate’s provisional England Euro 2024 squad.
Meanwhile, it’s understood the ex-City man is about to be joined by a familiar face at Stamford Bridge, with Enzo Maresca set to be appointed as the club’s new manager. The Italian spent two years as part of Guardiola’s coaching staff at the Etihad and the pair worked together closely in 2020/21 as part of the Under-23 side that won the Premier League 2 title.