Cole Palmer linked with shock Chelsea exit amid Manchester City return speculation

By Johnson Arua

Chelsea forward Cole Palmer could be heading for a surprise exit from Stamford Bridge, with reports suggesting the England international is uncertain about his long-term future at the club.

According to reports, the 23-year-old is weighing his options and may consider a return to Manchester City should Pep Guardiola depart the Etihad Stadium this summer.

Palmer left City in 2023 after Guardiola sanctioned his sale, with Chelsea paying around £40 million to bring the attacking midfielder to west London.

Prior to his move, Palmer made 19 Premier League appearances for City, showing flashes of his potential before seeking regular first-team football elsewhere.

His decision to join Chelsea initially paid off in spectacular fashion. Palmer made an instant impact in his debut season, emerging as one of the Premier League’s standout performers.

He scored 27 goals and registered 15 assists across competitions, quickly establishing himself as a key figure in the Chelsea attack.

That outstanding campaign earned him a raft of individual honours, including Chelsea Players’ Player of the Season, Chelsea Player of the Season, Premier League Young Player of the Season, and the PFA Fans’ Player of the Year—an extraordinary sweep that underlined his rapid rise.

Palmer’s upward trajectory continued on the international stage during Euro 2024. Although not a regular starter under Gareth Southgate, he made his mark by scoring England’s goal in the final against Spain, despite the Three Lions ultimately suffering defeat.

This season, however, his momentum has slowed. A series of niggling injuries has disrupted his rhythm, limiting him to fewer than half of Chelsea’s league matches.

The report claims this has contributed to a degree of frustration for the player.
Reports have it that Palmer is unsettled in south London and is feeling homesick, having been born and raised in Manchester. The uncertainty surrounding Chelsea’s direction has reportedly deepened those feelings.

Speculation has also linked a potential City return to managerial changes, with suggestions that Palmer could be tempted back if his former Chelsea boss, Enzo Maresca, were to succeed Guardiola at Manchester City.

While no official move has been discussed, the situation has raised eyebrows, given Palmer’s importance to Chelsea and the remarkable impact he has already made since arriving at the club.