Cole Palmer says he needed persuading to join Chelsea from Manchester City last summer.
In an interview with British GQ, Palmer said his manager helped convince him to make the move to the west London club after he had decided he wanted to leave City. He has previously spoken about how initially only wanted to leave City on a season-long loan before returning to the first team but was told he had to either leave permanently or remain at the club.
Palmer, 22, completed a move to Chelsea for a fee worth up to £42.5million (now $54.1m) on deadline day and enjoyed a hugely successful individual season, registering 25 goals and 15 assists in 46 games for his new club.
“I wasn’t even gonna go (to) Chelsea,” Palmer said. “I got persuaded.”
Discussions between the two clubs dragged on, Palmer says, leaving him anxious for updates even while training.
“Every time the ball went out I’d ask the kit man or the doctor if they’ve agreed the fee yet,” Palmer added before revealing he didn’t get the chance at a proper farewell.
“Most people went home,” he said. “I messaged the group chat, said, ‘Thanks and everything. I’m gone.’ That was it.”
After scoring England’s equalising goal in the European Championship final against Spain over the summer, Palmer has started this season in strong form again, contributing seven goals and five assists in Chelsea’s 11 Premier League matches.
Palmer signed a two-year contract extension before the new campaign started in August, with his deal at Chelsea now running until 2033.
Having come through their academy, the attacking midfielder previously made 41 appearances in all competitions for City, with only two of those Premier League starts, before joining Chelsea.
Palmer has withdrawn from the England squad for this month’s Nations League matches and will return to action when Chelsea travel to Leicester City on Saturday, November 23.