Cole Palmer has proven his status as a big-game player once again by emerging as Chelsea’s go-to man in their 3-0 win against Paris Saint-Germain to clinch the FIFA Club World Cup.
All the decision-makers within the Manchester City camp can do is have their heads in their hands by letting the 23-year-old leave to sign for the Blues in 2023.
Manchester City sold Palmer for £40 million, which was quite a sizable fee to pay for a player who had yet to prove himself as a top player in the Premier League.
However, Chelsea may have pulled off one of the best bargain signings of the decade by signing the Englishman.
Meanwhile, the Sky Blues must especially regret their decision to sell him in the first place as Palmer was keen to stay at Manchester City.
Cole Palmer holding the Best Player of the Tournament trophy after Chelsea vs Paris Saint-Germain
Photo by Justin Setterfield – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Richard Keys says Cole Palmer is now worth £200 million
Pep Guardiola may not have had to sign Rayan Cherki this summer if Manchester City kept Cole Palmer.
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While Guardiola has praised Cherki and he could become a superstar at City, the Blues poster-boy could have been the heir to Kevin De Bruyne two years ago.
After Chelsea beat PSG, Richard Keys slammed Guardiola as Palmer has left Manchester City to become a £200 million player in his eyes, writing: “Has Cole Palmer’s celebration got anything to do with being frozen out at City?”
Keys added: “What a shocking decision that was by Guardiola. The kid must be worth £200m now – priceless to Chelsea.”
Man City believe they have another Cole Palmer in their ranks
Ultimately, it is hard to disagree with Richard Keys about Palmer’s potential value as Manchester City or any other club that try to sign him from Chelsea will have to pay a king’s ransom.
Palmer admitted he was frustrated at Manchester City as other English youngsters were playing regular first-team football while he was a mere bit-part player.
Phil Foden might have felt the same coming through the ranks but his patience was eventually rewarded at the Etihad Stadium.
Journalist Dean Jones revealed that Manchester City hold Oscar Bobb in high esteem and believe he could be their next Palmer.
“There are other teams starting to wonder if he might be available on loan. So far that’s not the case but he is so good I’m actually putting him in that Cole Palmer bracket. I think City kind of are too, and he’s that good they’re probably scared of losing him and he goes and bangs somewhere else like Cole Palmer has done.”
Manchester City will be hoping Bobb turns into a star like Palmer and silence their critics, such as Richard Keys.