Cole Palmer's future has been a hot topic in recent months amid links of a transfer to boyhood club Manchester United - and now the Chelsea star has broken his silence
Cole Palmer
Cole Palmer has addressed transfer speculation(Image: Sky Sports)
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Cole Palmer says that he has 'no plans' to leave Chelsea in a blow to Manchester United's hopes of signing him. Palmer, 23, was reported to be unsettled in West London during his third season with the Blues.
The shock departure of boss Enzo Maresca in January plunged the England international's future into further doubt and Chelsea have now slipped to sixth in the Premier League under new manager Liam Rosenior. Palmer grew up supporting United but came through the academy of bitter rivals Manchester City, who sold him to Chelsea for £42.5million in September 2023.
Ahead of the Blues' crunch game at home to United on Saturday, the playmaker poured cold water on the speculation. "Everyone just talks," Palmer told The Guardian. "When I see it, I just laugh.
"Obviously, Manchester is my home. All my family are there, but I don't miss it. Maybe I'll miss it if I don't go for three months or something. But then when I get home I think there's nothing there for me anyway."
Tied down at Stamford Bridge on a lucrative contract which runs until 2033, Palmer added: "I've got no plans to move from Chelsea. We've still got a lot to play for.
"We've got the FA Cup semi-final (against Leeds) and if we finish in a Champions League spot, it puts us in a good position to sign players that we need. "
The 23-year-old went on to reveal that he's held talks with Chelsea's owners and he's convinced that the way in which the club operates - signing young players, frequently changing managers and handing out long-term contracts - will prove to be successful after years of criticism. Palmer used captain Reece James' new six-year deal as example of the belief from within the dressing room.
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 12: che10 during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on April 12, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Cole Palmer has spoken to the Chelsea hierarchy(Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
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"We spoke to the owners and they're sure of the players that are gonna do it," he affirmed. "Reece won't sign a six-year contract if he's not spoken to the owners and the directors.
"Me and Reece spoke a lot; about things we need, players we need to sign and how things need to be. He wouldn't sign a new contract if he didn't know what was going on."
Chelsea go into Saturday's clash seven points behind United. Even a win wouldn't be enough for them to jump into fifth, as Liverpool head into the weekend with a four-point advantage.