Reports suggest homesick star could seek City reunion if Guardiola departs.
Chelsea’s standout performer Cole Palmer is reportedly feeling unsettled in London and could be open to a sensational return to Manchester City this summer, should Pep Guardiola leave the club.
According to a report from The Sun, the 23-year-old playmaker is “not particularly enjoying life down south” and is said to be homesick, having been born and raised in Manchester. This comes amid a slight dip in his game time and impact compared to his explosive first season at Stamford Bridge, where he scored 27 goals and swept multiple Player of the Year awards.
The speculation adds a dramatic twist to Palmer’s remarkable rise. After being sold by City for £40 million in 2023 due to limited first-team opportunities, he became Chelsea’s undisputed star and a key figure for England at Euro 2024. However, injuries and a change in management have coincided with whispers of his discontent.
The report suggests a potential reunion could hinge on the managerial situation at the Etihad. If Guardiola departs and is succeeded by former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca—a coach Palmer knows well—the player “could well be tempted” by a move. Intriguingly, the playmaker has also been linked with a switch to his boyhood club, Manchester United, with former coach Rene Meulensteen calling it “very strange” the Red Devils didn’t pursue him earlier.
Palmer missed Chelsea’s midweek Champions League match with a minor thigh issue but is expected to return for Sunday’s London derby against Crystal Palace. For now, the focus is on the pitch, but the growing talk of a homesick star ensures his future will remain a topic of intense speculation.
Similar Posts:
- Man City Eye Chelsea’s Maresca as Guardiola Succession Plan Takes Shape
- Cole Palmer Criticized for Post-Match Chat with Guardiola After Chelsea’s Defeat
- Guardiola Dismisses Exit Talk, Insists He’s Delighted at Manchester City
- Transfer Gossip: PSG Challenge Real Madrid in €200M Race for Chelsea’s Cole Palmer
- Phil Foden and Cole Palmer Shine at PFA Awards
