MIRROR
Cole Palmer’s dad told his son that he needn’t worry about getting stronger and faster when he was in the Manchester City academy and Pep Guardiola was clearly in agreement.
The youngster was coming through the ranks at the Etihad but had concerns over his physical qualities having been the smallest player throughout his time from the under 8s up until the first team. His father though told him not to worry as it was his technical ability that would he would ultimately be judged upon.
Palmer’s father said that Guardiola, who was then in charge of Bayern Munich, but had been heavily linked with the City job, would not be overly concerned by his physical qualities. Two years later and the Catalan would become the manager in Manchester and immediately identified Palmer as a standout, reports the Evening Standard.
The 21-year-old had been a fringe player at the Etihad for several seasons, but showed he had the appetite for the big occasion in the Community Shield and the UEFA Super Cup earlier this season. Concerned about his minutes, he chose to leave for a move to Chelsea.
Guardiola had told Palmer that Riyad Mahrez’s exit to Saudi Arabia would open up more opportunities, but the youngster wasn’t convinced with Jack Grealish, Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku all ahead of him in the pecking order.
The City boss tried to talk him round, but Palmer wasn’t having it as the Catalan explained: “He got what he wanted. It is good for him. He is a young player, a huge talent otherwise he would not have been here. He is a nice lad and is doing really good.”
Jason Wilcox was the club’s academy director until January and previously convinced City not to release Palmer five years ago. He has said: “I’m not surprised he’s done well quickly at Chelsea. He’s a quiet, languid guy, and people can misinterpret that. You could always see elite vision, technical ability and winning mentality.”
