He would say that – I don’t think Cole Palmer is telling the truth about Man United links
Cole Palmer was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United in January before publicly rubbishing the claims, but with Chelsea set to miss out on Champions League football, fresh rumours could surface
There was speculation over Cole Palmer’s future in January amid links to Manchester United(Image: Getty Images)
Former Manchester United defender Paul Parker has suggested Cole Palmer was not entirely truthful about links to United when he insisted he was happy at Chelsea. Palmer had been linked with a shock move to Old Trafford in the January transfer window.
Rumours at the time claimed the former Manchester City academy graduate was unsettled in London and could return to the north west to be closer to his family. Those suggestions were dismissed by former Blues head coach Liam Rosenior, who maintained that Palmer is content at Stamford Bridge.
Rosenior also reiterated that Palmer, contracted to Chelsea until 2033, is considered an ‘untouchable’ player that Stamford Bridge chiefs have no intention of cashing in on. Such a long‑term deal means Chelsea would be in a position to demand a massive fee to even consider a sale.
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But Chelsea’s season is fizzling out and they have been mathematically eliminated from the race for a top‑five finish following Monday’s 3‑1 defeat to Nottingham Forest. Currently ninth and just two points behind seventh‑placed Brentford, which still offers a route into Europe, the damage may already be done with only three games remaining.
Parker has suggested that a move to United could materialise given the current situation at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have missed out on Champions League football once again and have already dismissed Rosenior after just 107 days in charge, with interim head coach Calum McFarlane now leading the team until the end of the season.
“Obviously, I have seen that Palmer has been linked with a move away from Chelsea,” Parker said. “If he ever were to be mentioned with Man United, we would have to see if the manager wants him first and foremost. Actually, I can see him coming to Manchester United, because with the way Chelsea is being run, I would imagine that he wants to leave.
“I like the idea of it, but he hasn’t been good lately. He has a lot of injuries and it seems like he doesn’t enjoy playing at Chelsea, but it is an interesting one. I saw an interview where he said he is happy at Chelsea and asked why he should leave, but you have to remember that we are talking about Cole Palmer here.
“The way he talks, did anyone really believe what he said? Are you that silly to believe what he said was true? He is going to say exactly what people want to hear. He is never going to be controversial and say he wants to leave. That could cause issues.”
“He is a very good player and he was carrying Chelsea in the beginning of the season, but then everything changed. Palmer changed as well and he isn’t the player he was. Since (Enzo) Maresca got sacked, he hasn’t been anywhere near the player he was.”
Things are looking much brighter at Old Trafford where Michael Carrick’s impressive turnaround has guided the club to Champions League qualification. However, the England international dismissed the transfer talk linking him with a return to Manchester to don United red.
“Everyone just talks,” the midfielder said. “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.
“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). We spoke to the owners and they’re sure of the players that are gonna do it. Reece won’t sign a six-year contract if he’s not spoken to the owners and the directors.”
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