Guardiola opens up about Palmer as Chelsea look to clash with Man City this evening; Here is what he said

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola insists he had playing plans for Cole Palmer this season.

City will face Palmer and Chelsea today after the midfielder’s August sale.

Guardiola revealed: “I said to him ‘Riyad Mahrez is leaving, you are going to get a chance here’.

“He said ‘No, I’m not going to play here, I want to leave’ so I said ‘OK, leave'”

The manager continued: “We’d never stop a deal because of that. Why, if the transfer suits both clubs and the player? That means you are a small club.

“Big clubs make decisions for the benefit of all three parties. If a player wants to go to Chelsea or [Manchester] United or Liverpool, what is the problem if they are happy to be there and we are happy with the transfer? Another player comes here and we keep going with a good spirit.”