Pep Guardiola has revealed Cole Palmer’s desire to be guaranteed first team football played a key role in Manchester City’s decision to sell the in-form midfielder to Chelsea in the summer.
Palmer looked set for a prominent role at City this season after he starred in pre-season, scoring in both the Community Shield and European Super Cup final.
The summer addition of Jeremy Doku, however, increased the already ferocious level of competition at City and prompted Palmer to seek a fresh challenge and join Chelsea in a £40million deal.
That decision already appears to have been vindicated with the England Under-21 international already having established himself as a key component of Mauricio Pochettino’s rebuilding project.
Palmer will face his boyhood club for the first time since his move this weekend and Guardiola insists he harbours no regrets over the decision to sell one of English football’s most exciting young talents.
‘Really pleased,’ said Guardiola when asked to assess Palmer’s recent performances. ‘The reason why was that, he wanted game time.
‘He has it so congratulations. He is a guy who came from the academy, he’s having success because it’s good for him and wish him the best.’
‘Congratulations for Chelsea and him,’ he added when asked if was a shame Palmer was not still representing City.
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