Pep Guardiola has called Cole Palmer a ‘star player’ as the Chelsea forward prepares to return to Manchester City this weekend.
Palmer has been in brilliant form since signing for Chelsea from Manchester City in a £42.5m deal last summer, with the 21-year-old having requested to leave the Premier League champions in search of more regular football.
The forward started just two games in the Premier League last season, each of which came after the Citizens had secured the title, but has made a big impression at Stamford Bridge.
Palmer has scored 10 goals and laid on six assists in the Premier League, averaging a goal involvement every 93 minutes. His form led to an England debut in November and Palmer is pushing for a place in Gareth Southgate’s squad for Euro 2024.
Ahead of the reunion with his former player this weekend, Guardiola praised Palmer’s performances at Chelsea and called the forward am ‘exceptional player’
“Good player. Like it has happened [having strong form for Chelsea]? Yes I didn’t have any doubts about it,” the Spaniard said at his pre-match press conference.
“He is a star player and is already an exceptional player and moved on.
“A lovely lad and he helped us achieve what we achieved.”
City sit second in the Premier League table and have won 11 consecutive games in all competitions to find form since the turn of the new year. Guardiola said his team must maintain momentum in the title race ahead of facing Chelsea this weekend.
“We just need to win our games. When we arrive with eight or nine games [towards the end of the season] we will see how many teams will be involved.
“It doesn’t matter if there are two, three or four, we just need to do our job.”
Read – Six talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend
See more – Palmer discusses Man City return and decision to leave
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