Aoba Tanaka 
In a candid admission, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has accepted full responsibility for the departure of young talent Cole Palmer to rivals Chelsea. The 21-year-old made a high-profile move to Stamford Bridge in September for a deal valued at up to £42.5m, showcasing impressive performances since joining the Blues.
Palmer’s success at Chelsea has seen him make his first two appearances for England and notch up an impressive 10 goals in the Premier League. The midfielder-turned-forward could face his former club when Chelsea takes on Manchester City at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Guardiola acknowledged his role in Palmer’s departure, “After two or three seasons, he wanted more minutes than the last season. I understand completely.” The manager admitted that if Palmer had been given the playing time awarded to Phil Foden from the beginning, he might still be with Manchester City.
The decision to part ways with Palmer was attributed to Guardiola’s choices in the squad, including players like Bernardo Silva, Riyad Mahrez, and Phil Foden. Palmer, who emerged from City’s academy, had limited playing time during the 2022-23 season, prompting his move to Chelsea on transfer deadline day.
Guardiola expressed understanding for young players seeking more playing time after a couple of seasons, stating, “After one season, it is nice, and the second season, but the third season it is, ‘Oh guys, I want to play, I don’t want to sit on the bench.’ It’s normal. We understand as a club.”
Palmer’s impact at Chelsea has been noteworthy, scoring crucial goals and being the team’s leading scorer with 12 goals in all competitions. Guardiola praised Palmer’s quality and impact, emphasizing his threat to opposition teams.
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino downplayed the notion that Palmer would be motivated by facing his old side, stating, “He’s not the type of player that needs to prove anything.” Pochettino highlighted Palmer’s gratitude for his time at Manchester City but emphasized that players leave seeking new challenges and playing opportunities.
As Cole Palmer returns to face his former club, the spotlight will be on the young talent, and Guardiola’s acknowledgment adds a layer of reflection on the choices made in managing the team’s promising players.
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