A body language expert has made an interesting observation regarding Pep Guardiola and Cole Palmer after the pair were spotted talking on the Etihad pitch after Manchester City’s 3-1 Premier League win against Chelsea on Saturday.
Palmer, 22, failed to make a positive impact against his former club as City ran out 3-1 winners thanks to strikes from Josko Gvardiol, Erling Haaland and Phil Foden.
And despite having registered 14 goals and six assists in the Premier League this term, Sky Sports pundit and former Manchester United captain Gary Neville blasted Palmer after the game.
Advert
“I’ll say something about Cole Palmer,” Neville said on ‘The Gary Neville Podcast’. "He was talking to Pep Guardiola on the pitch right at the end of the game, and he was smiling with him, and Pep Guardiola does that.
"Cole, you’re being played. You’re being played here.
“You didn’t do enough out on that pitch.
"He’s an amazing player, absolutely brilliant, but you know something, those Chelsea fans that have travelled today, three or four thousand of them in that far corner – they wanted better than that, they don’t really want to see you conversing with the opposition manager and smiling at the end of the game.
“I’m not being old school, but there's something about that. Guardiola’s playing you here. I know he’s had him here, but he didn't play him, but he sold him.”
Of course, as most footballers do, Palmer tried to cover his mouth with his hand while chatting to Guardiola, 54.
The England international was previously managed by Pep but chose to sign for Chelsea in the summer of 2023 after a lack of game time at the Premier League champions.
"After two or three seasons he [Cole Palmer] wanted more minutes than the last season,” Guardiola said last year.
What Cole Palmer 'thinks' about Pep Guardiola
Since Palmer’s move, fans have been interested in the relationship between Guardiola and the Chelsea star and now a body language expert has cast his expert eye over the pair’s exchange on Saturday.
"The fact that he used to play for him and then moved on, they seem to have a great connection and great rapport,” Darren Stanton told OLBG. “Whatever went on, he still has great respect for Pep.
“When they were walking together, Palmer was tilting his head toward Pep. His body as well. The interaction was very genuine.
"There were no fake or forced smiles. Whatever was going on between the two of them, I don’t think it was a ‘told you so’ moment. It was more of a ‘I knew you could do it’ and they clearly still have a great mutual respect for each other and genuine connection."
Topics: Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, Cole Palmer, Premier League, Chelsea, Gary Neville
Luke Davies