Cole Palmer reveals brutal text message he sent Man City team-mates upon transfer to Chelsea as midfielder claims he had to be 'persuaded' to make Blues move

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Cole Palmer has revealed that he did not have time to say goodbye to his former Manchester City team-mates in person before his move to Chelsea in 2023.

The 22-year-old swapped the Etihad Stadium for Stamford Bridge last summer in a transfer worth an intitial £40million, after a 13-year stay with the eight-time Premier League champions.

Palmer's impact at the Blues surpassed expectations as he netted 22 goals, while also providing 11 assists, in his first league campaign at the club.

Having already hit the ground running this season with 12 goal involvements in all competitions, the England midfielder has now disclosed the inside story of his move to west London.

Reminiscing to GQ, Palmer said: 'I remember training on a Wednesday at City in the afternoon, and the news was 'they're trying to agree a fee'.

Cole Palmer has revealed the inside story of his move from Man City to Chelsea last summer

He was not given the chance to say goodbye to his team-mates in person so sent a blunt text

Palmer is on the most recent front cover of the famous GQ magazine with Kobbie Mainoo 

'Every time the ball went out I'd ask the kit man or the doctor if they've agreed the fee yet. 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.'

Despite his struggles for minutes while in Manchester, Palmer was not desperate to leave the club who nurtured him in their academy.

In fact, he has now admitted that he had to be convinced of the Chelsea project by his agent, who was in the room during the interview with GQ.

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'I wasn't even gonna go [to] Chelsea,' Palmer continued. 'I got persuaded.'

'I just knew I wasn't going to play as much as I wanted to. Even when I was going to England [camps] with younger age groups, you had players there who were playing in the league every week.

'You're looking around thinking, I can play in the league. When you're not playing, it's annoying.'

The trust in his agent paid off as Palmer went onto make his England debut in the same season and score in the Three Lions' defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final four months ago.

Palmer has been revolutionary at Chelsea and netted 22 Premier League goals last season

The Blues midfielder went on to win the PFA Young Player of the Year for the 2023-24 season 

Palmer scored England only goal in their defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final four months ago

Palmer's impressive performances in what was a breakout year for him would earn him PFA Young Player of the Year.

The taste of trophies, even if it was on a personal level, has only left him wanting to achieve more in the game.

Palmer added: 'The feeling you get when you win… you just want it again. You don't want to stop and never get that feeling again.'