Palmer eventually joined Chelsea on deadline day, for £40 million. Pep Guardiola later claimed that Palmer had been agitating for a move for two years.
“No – do you know what, I just wanted to go on loan,” he says. But when it became clear that he wasn’t going to be among City’s starters, even after the departure of Riyad Mahrez to Saudi Arabia, he decided he had to leave. To place his faith in himself.
“I remember training on a Wednesday at City in the afternoon, and the news was ‘they’re trying to agree a fee,’” he says. “Every time the ball went out I’d ask the kit man or the doctor if they’ve agreed the fee yet.” But the deal dragged on, as deals do, and most people went home. “So I didn’t really get a chance to see many people and say I’m going. I just had to get my stuff.” That’s the mercenary reality of football at the top level: no goodbyes, except what can be said over text. “I messaged the group chat, said ‘Thanks and everything. I’m gone.’ That was it.”
https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/kobbie-mainoo-cole-palmer-men-of-the-year-interview-2024