Chelsea and England playmaker Cole Palmer ‘would probably like’ to join a rival Premier League club, according to a Champions League winner.
Few could have predicted Palmer’s development since he left his boyhood club Manchester City in a deal worth £40m in the summer of 2023.
City boss Pep Guardiola sanctioned the playmaker’s exit but must be second guessing his decision after watching him thrive for club and country over the past 18 months.
Palmer had more goal involvements than any other player in the Premier League last season and picked up several rewards, including the PFA Fans’ Player of the Year and the Young Player of the Year.
Gareth Southgate was criticised for the way he used Palmer at Euro 2024, with the 22-year-old struggling for minutes but impressing when he was given a chance and scoring in the final defeat to Spain.
Palmer has continued his impressive form this season for title-challenging Chelsea and is now regarded as one of the best players in Europe never mind England.
Given Palmer grew up in Manchester and supported United, many have questioned how the Red Devils missed out on his signature.
That same thought has also come to Jaap Stam who ‘wonders’ how Palmer did not end up at Old Trafford and says the player would ‘probably’ fancy a move to the club he supported growing up.
‘Seeing the potential of Cole Palmer and him being just next door, you do wonder how Manchester United missed out on him, or maybe they did try and couldn’t get a deal over the line,’ the three-time Premier League winner told Sport Lens.
‘It would still be great to see him at Manchester United and being a fan of the club he’d probably like that to happen as well.
‘However, in his current form there might not be any clubs who can afford him. He might one day be worth £200m the way he is going.’
Palmer’s goals and assists have helped Chelsea climb to second in the Premier League ahead of the festive period, just two points behind leaders Liverpool.
Enzo Maresca’s Blues travel to Goodison Park to face Everton on Sunday before welcome west London rivals Fulham to Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day.
Chelsea are currently ten places and 12 points above a Manchester United side who have dropped into the bottom-half of the table.
United, who have won half of their games under new manager Ruben Amorim, face in-form Bournemouth this weekend.
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