Aggressive Chelsea transfer strategy set to continue after Cole Palmer comments
Cole Palmer cannot get used to London traffic but is glad he is no longer stuck in the tailback of talent at Manchester City.
When Palmer swapped the Etihad for Stamford Bridge, it looked like he might be going from one bench to another, such was the level of recruitment at Chelsea. But the 21-year-old from Wythenshawe had analysed Mauricio Pochettino's playing roster and decided he had a better chance of starting regularly under the Argentine than he did under Pep Guardiola.
"Yeah, I did look at how many players were there (at Chelsea)," admits Palmer. "But I don’t think people realise how many players they actually got rid off, as well. So when I was going there, I heard people say, 'Oh, there are so many players' and stuff, and all this.
"But I looked at the (Chelsea) squad and thought... if I go there and know what I can do, then I’ll have the chance of playing and, thankfully, it’s happened.
"It was a really tough decision. But the competition that's there (at City), the players that were there, the players that they were going to try to sign... I wasn't sure. I thought that for my career, I have to go and get regular game time."
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And it is clear Raheem Sterling, who Palmer looked up to at City, was an influence on his decision and has been instrumental in the England new boy settling in so well at Stamford Bridge. Palmer, called up by Gareth Southgate for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia, says: "When I was coming through at City he helped me a lot, he told me bits of advice.
"Then I spoke to him before I went to Chelsea and he said do what you think is best for you and when I got there, I saw him on the first day I got there."
As they showed on the field against City in that dramatic 4-4 draw last Sunday, the pair also seem to revel in playing alongside each other. Palmer goes on: "He (Sterling) is a great player, a top player. He has been brilliant this season for us. Playing with him - I knew him for a while - I think we have a natural chemistry."
Palmer has praised Raheem Sterling for his support (Getty Images)What's your thoughts on Cole Palmer's decision to quit Manchester City for Chelsea? Let us know in the comments below!
And as one of Chelsea’s senior professionals, it seems Sterling is the one who has decided Palmer is the club’s penalty-taker, having handed him duties at Burnley earlier in the season. Palmer explains: "The ball just came to me and I looked at Raz because he won it and then he said, 'Take it'. It was just an in-game thing really and once I scored at Burnley, I just thought, 'I'll take them'."
That decision paid dividends when Palmer calmly fired in the equalising, last-gasp penalty against City, a moment that helped confirm he had made the right move. The only downside of leaving the local club where he had spent 15 years?
Palmer says: "The most annoying thing? The traffic, that’s the biggest thing for me. Everything else I am enjoying. It is hotter than Manchester as well!"
Considering his form and the prospect of making his England debut on Friday, few are hotter than Palmer right now.
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