“I won’t be surprised if he wants to speak to Chelsea” - William Gallas names new club Cole Palmer could join if Blues fail to win silverware
Former Chelsea defender William Gallas believes Cole Palmer could leave the club if they don't win a trophy this season. He named Barcelona as they perfect club for the Englishman.
Palmer has been sensational since his move to Stamford Bridge from Manchester City last summer for a reported fee of £42.5 million. He scored 27 goals and provided 15 assists in 48 games across competitions last season. He was named the PFA Young Player of the Year and also the Premier League Young Player of the Year.
William Gallas, however, believes the midfielder could leave the Blues if he continues to perform but the team doesn't win. The former Arsenal defender told Prime Casino (via Sport Bible):
"Barcelona would be a great move for him, but they have great young players already like Lamine Yamal and might also be signing Nico Williams.
"Palmer looks like he is going to have a very similar season to last year and even though he is young, it will be tough to see his friends winning trophies if he isn't at Chelsea despite the way he is playing. I won't be surprised if he wants to speak to Chelsea in the summer if they again fail to win a trophy."
Palmer has scored six goals and provided five assists in nine games across competitions for Chelsea this season.
Pundit explains why Cole Palmer didn't stay at Manchester City and moved to Chelsea
Former Manchester City right-back Danny Mills has said that Cole Palmer perhaps left the club due to a lack of freedom. He gave Jack Grealish's example in saying that Pep Guardiola's style restricts players from displaying their flair in games. He believes Palmer was unwilling to settle for that and hence, moved to Chelsea.
Mills said on talkSPORT (via One Football):
“The problem that I think he [Cole Palmer] had at Manchester City, Pep likes to play in a certain way and Pep doesn’t really like those sort of freedom-esque players, which is why he had to reign Jack Grealish in an awful lot and he changed his game almost completely from what Jack was.
“I don’t think Cole Palmer was willing to do that and was willing to change and become a player that’s going to sit in that position and work back and do as he told. And I think maybe there was a clash between him and Pep, where he wouldn’t do what Pep wanted him to do and that’s why ultimately Pep let him go.”
Palmer came through Manchester City's academy before making his senior debut in the EFL Cup in 2020. He made 41 senior appearances for the Premier League champions, scoring six goals and providing two assists.