Cole Palmer has taken the Premier League by storm this season and is proving Man City made a huge mistake by selling him.
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The £42.5million fee the Blues paid for him looks an absolute steal right now.
Palmer was struggling to get regular game time under Pep Guardiola at City and while that may have come further down the line, he wanted to play now.
Chelsea have given him that opportunity and he’s flourishing into one of the best players in the Premier League. He’s a shoe-in for Young Player of the Year, and may even be up for the top prize.
All Palmer wants to do is play football and that’s been clear throughout his whole career.
He once even played two games in one day while at Man City.
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This happened back in 2021, when the then 19-year-old made a substitute appearance for the first-team against Burnley.
Just two hours later, he was lining-up for the Under-23s and went on to score a hat-trick.
Palmer spoke about this in an article he wrote for The Players’ Tribune.
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He said: “Alright, picture this: We're at the Etihad playing Burnley. It’s the 90th minute. Pep grabs my arm.
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“‘If I put you on now, are you sure you can still play later?’
“This was last October. I’m about to make my second-ever Premier League appearance, but I’m thinking about the next game.
“The Under-23s have got a late kickoff against Leicester and I reckon I can get over in time to play in that too.
“So, we’re on the touchline and Pep’s asking me, ‘Are you sure? There’s no rule that says you can’t?’
“I’m standing there like, ‘Err … yeah, I think so.’
“Then, the assistant manager, Rodolfo Borrell, comes over. He knows the rules. He’s like, ‘Yes, Cole can play both games, if he wants to.’
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“To be fair, no-one asked me to play both games. I’ve just seen the fixture list. I know I can make it in time. The Under-23s only play over the road at the Academy Stadium. It’s a two-minute drive. If I’m only getting a few minutes here against Burnley — even if it is the Premier League — why not?
“Pep puts me on for the last few minutes of the game, and we close it out 2–0.
“In the changing room after, I don’t even take my socks or shin pads off, I just whack a tracksuit over the top, eat something quickly and get ready to head over the bridge.
“I see Jack Grealish and Phil Foden looking at me like, What is he doing???
“I tell them what’s going on, and they’re just staring back at me surprised … like I’m a bit mad haha! (Maybe they’re a little bit impressed too.)
“I just have loads of energy. I’m ready to do all sorts. I’m so buzzin’ I end up scoring twice in the first half against Leicester. Second half, I’m desperate to take home that match ball, but it’s not coming. Then in the 85th-minute, I get it on the edge of the box, and I just whip it.
“Top corner.
“Hat trick.
“5–0.
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“Good day, that. Haha!”
A good day indeed for the young forward and he’s had many good days since then.