Premier League: Cole Palmer’s Truths About His Transfer to Chelsea
In a long and fascinating interview with GQ magazine, Cole Palmer delved into the details behind his transfer to Chelsea during the summer 2023 transfer window.
On September 1, 2023, Chelsea pulled off a significant transfer market coup. While the London club has spent recklessly in recent seasons and often made mistakes in its market strategy, accumulating both players and failures, they got it right that day.
For a fee of 47 million euros ($49.5 million), the Blues managed to sign Cole Palmer, who had been frustrated by a lack of playing time under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Eager to take on a new challenge and boost his career, the England international decided to try his luck in London.
This decision has proven to be highly successful, as evidenced by his crucial role in Chelsea’s squad since his arrival and his exceptional statistics. Palmer had initially planned to continue his progression at his boyhood club, Manchester City.
"I wasn't supposed to go to Chelsea. I was convinced. I knew I wasn’t going to play as much as I wanted at Manchester City. When you don't play, it's boring,” the 22-year-old admitted in an interview with GQ, before providing more details on the behind-the-scenes of his transfer.
“It’s the commercial reality of football”
"I remember training one Wednesday afternoon at City and hearing they were trying to agree on the transfer fee. Every time the ball went out, I would ask someone if they had reached an agreement. So I didn't really have much of a chance to talk to people and say I was leaving. I just had to pack my things."
Palmer hadn't expected such a fast-paced departure: "It's the commercial reality of top-level football: no goodbyes, except for what you can say over text. I sent a message in the group chat, saying, ‘Thank you’ and everything else, ‘I'm leaving.’ That was it."
Cole Palmer left Manchester City just as quickly as he settled into life at Chelsea.
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