STAY OR BE SOLD-PEP TO PALMER

COLE Palmer has explained how Pep Guardiola handed him a transfer ultimatum in the summer that eventually saw him leave City for Chelsea in a £42.5m deal on deadline day.

- ISAAC JOHNSON

Palmer was one of several Blues graduates to work his way from youth level to first-team and went on to tally 41 appearances and six goals, one of which came in August’s UEFA Super Cup final win. However, the winger became frustrated with a lack of game time towards the end of his time at the Etihad. 

After making just two Premier League starts in the Treble campaign, an opportunity looked to be opening up with Riyad Mahrez leaving – but Jeremy Doku’s arrival left Palmer asking questions. He ultimately decided to leave following a chat with Guardiola over game time.