“That was not my intention” – Cole Palmer offers brutal truth behind Manchester City exit for Chelsea

Former Manchester City winger and now Chelsea star Cole Palmer has offered a brutally honest truth behind his exit from the Etihad Stadium for London last summer.

The Manchester City academy graduate brought an end to his journey at the City Football Academy and Etihad Campus on deadline day of the last summer transfer window, finalising a £42.5 million move to Stamford Bridge.

The move has ultimately worked out well for all concerned, with Palmer being afforded his desire first-team opportunities and crucial match minutes, while Manchester City secured themselves an unbeatable financial package and the ability to push further talents forward.

However, things could have worked out very differently had Manchester City agreed to Palmer’s desires last summer, with the player now revealing his desire to contractually stay at the Etihad Stadium.

Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports this week, the England international forward revealed, “My thing was to never leave (Manchester) City. That was not my intention. I wanted to go on loan for a year, come back and be ready for the first team.”

The 21-year-old Chelsea star continued, “But they said I couldn’t go on loan, either stay or you get sold. So then, Chelsea rang me. I said I wanted to go to Chelsea and I’m really happy to be here.

“I’m very glad I made the decision to come here,” Palmer closed.

Since moving to Chelsea last summer, Palmer has scored 10 goals and provided seven assists in his 24 appearances across all competitions for the club, whilst also earning his first ever senior England international cap under manager Gareth Southgate.

Palmer and Manchester City will be reunited at the Etihad Stadium later this season, having met for the first time since the transfer agreement at Stamford Bridge earlier this campaign, with Cole Palmer scoring a late equaliser in London to earn a dramatic point in a 4-4 draw.