Cole Palmer 'didn't pass' to one player in training while at Man City and Pep Guardiola's response speaks volumes

Pep Guardiola’s reaction to Cole Palmer’s apparent refusal to pass to one Manchester City player in training speaks volumes.

Back in the summer of 2023, Englishman Palmer decided to leave his boyhood club City as he completed a transfer to fellow Premier League side Chelsea for a reported fee of £42.5 million.

Since moving to Stamford Bridge, the 22-year-old has become one of Chelsea’s most important players, playing a huge part in their bid to return to European football.

So far, the forward has scored 32 goals in 89 appearances for Chelsea across all competitions.

Palmer was also included in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024, coming off the bench in the semi-final and final to provide an assist and a goal.

Speaking about the forward recently, former City and England defender Joleon Lescott revealed how Guardiola knew Palmer was special during training.

He said on the High Performance Podcast: “Pep knew Palmer had something special because he doesn’t pass to Kevin De Bruyne when he asks for the ball. Pep knew he got personality because in training if young lads come up, and then Kevin shouts for the ball, even if it’s not on [for a pass], they would try to pass to him.

“Cole doesn’t do that. If there’s something better on for Cole and the team, that’s what’s happening, not that Kevin needs the ball.”

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Guardiola spoke about Palmer during the 23/24 season, he said: “He's an exceptional player. I said many times, I didn't give him the minutes that maybe he deserved, and now he has at Chelsea.

“I understand completely. He's a shy guy with a lot of potential. It is what it is. He was asking for two seasons to leave and I said stay. He said he wanted to leave. What could we do?”