Cole Palmer Rumor Back to Man City or Move to Man Utd

JAKARTA - Midfielder Cole Palmer is said to be uncomfortable at Chelsea. There is a rumor that he wants to leave with a destination back to Manchester City or move to Manchester United.

Rumors began to circulate after Palmer seemed uninterested when playing against Brentford in the English Premier League, last week. He refused to celebrate the goal after completing the penalty execution that brought Chelsea to victory 2-0.

Not only that, Palmer also immediately walked to the locker room after the match. Meanwhile, other teammates and manager Liam Rosenior are still on the field to shake hands and celebrate the victory.

In the next match against Pafos in the Champions League, Palmer was not played. Rosenior stated that there was a slight problem in Palmer's thigh so he did not enter the squad in that match. However, this 23-year-old player is ready to be prepared for the match against Crystal Palace in the London Derby on Sunday, January 25, 2026.

However, Palmer's attitude when playing against Brentford seems to show that he is having problems at the club. According to The Sun, Palmer has been uncomfortable after two years at Stamford Bridge since being recruited from Man City in 2023.

The social life of the player which has an impact on the game on the field which makes Palmer want to leave. In the analysis of the leading British tabloid, the player lost close friends in Manchester because he had to move to London.

This is what makes the England national team player hope to return to Manchester. His choice is to return to Man City who let him go for 42.5 million pounds or join rival club, Man Utd. Palmer himself is not a problem if he moves to Man Utd which is actually an idol club and supported him since childhood.

The issue of Palmer returning to Man City surfaced because the club intends to bring Enzo Maresca, the former Chelsea manager who was dismissed, to replace Pep Guardiola. If agreed, Maresca will bring Palmer back to the Etihad.

What about Man Utd? The club had shown an interest in Palmer. However, the player then chose to move to Chelsea rather than crossing to Man Utd.

Only Rosenior immediately denied the rumor. He stated that Palmer did not want to leave Chelsea. He was also happy at Stamford Bridge and it was totally unfounded if the player felt uncomfortable with life in London.

However, Rosenior revealed that the player who led the Blues to win the UEFA Conference League and the 2025 Club World Cup was indeed frustrated, but not because he didn't have friends in the English capital but because of an injury problem.

"I've spoken to Cole many times. From the conversation, I saw that he was very happy to be here. He does look happy. And, he is indeed an important part of the team's long-term plan," said Rosenior.

Rosenior, further, said every player must be frustrated when he suffers an injury that forces him to not play for weeks or even months.

"He's a really good player. It's just that every player must go through a difficult time when they get injured. My job and the club's job is how to put him in a position that makes him able to play consistently as he wants," Rosenior said again.

Referring to Palmer's performance against Brentford and his cold attitude, Rosenior explained that he felt he had failed to show his best performance.

The question is, the midfielder who has defended The Three Lions 12 times has felt pain in his thigh so he can't be at his best. This is what makes Rosenior not play him in the midweek match in the Champions League.

"If he was said to be frustrated in the match against Brentford, it was not because he was unhappy but he really couldn't perform at his best. Cole has been feeling pain so he feels that playing is not up to expectations," he said.

"He's an amazing player and a good kid. We try to get the best out of him in the right way. My job is how to support him and make him not frustrated anymore. But it's good when he's frustrated because he really wants to do his best for the club," Rosenior said.

Rosenior also believes Palmer will return to the national team and compete in the 2026 World Cup. He was not called up by manager Thomas Tuchel due to injury. However, Palmer is believed to have received a call back from Tuchel.