Gareth Southgate and Pep Guardiola will be left wondering what could have been after Cole Palmer’s latest superstar display for Chelsea in their 4-2 win over Brighton.
It was nearly four years ago to the day when Guardiola handed a fresh-faced Palmer his professional debut for City in a 3-0 win away to Burnley in the Carabao Cup.
In the ensuing years at the Etihad, Palmer showed glimpses of his talents when given the opportunity.
But Palmer grew tired of the lack of minutes under Guardiola and didn’t think twice when Chelsea came knocking 12 months ago.
Leaving a side that, at the time had just won the treble, for a team seemingly in disarray under new ownership might not have been a smart move on paper.
However, it’s proven to be a decision that may end up defining Palmer’s young career and help him grow into one of Europe’s most exciting attacking talents.
Cole Palmer is proving to be one of the most exciting players in European football
REUTERS
His debut season at Chelsea saw him finish with 25 goals and 15 assists in all competitions – the kind of form that saw him drafted into Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024.
Palmer’s senior England debut only came a few months earlier in November 2023 as a substitute against Malta.
He started England’s two Euro 2024 warm-up matches against Bosnia and Iceland, scoring in the former match.
But Palmer ended up playing a bit-part role for England in the main tournament, starting just one game on the way to the final.
His impact was clear to see in the final when he scored the equaliser for England shortly after being introduced, but Spain went on to clinch the victory.
Palmer later admitted he found his lack of minutes under Southgate in the biggest tournament of his young career ‘difficult’.
However, the 22-year-old has quickly moved on from that disappointment and picked up where he left off with Chelsea in the new campaign.
He put in a man-of-the-match display against Wolves last month with three assists and a goal in Chelsea’s 6-2 win.
Palmer was back on the scoresheet last week against West Ham, but it was against Brighton where he truly showed both Guardiola and Southgate what they were missing.
Much like Mauricio Pochettino did last season, Enzo Maresca has given Palmer the licence to roam and play to his strengths.
And that freedom was clear for all to see in the first half between Chelsea and Brighton on Saturday.
Palmer was at his scintillating best as he bagged a 10-minute hat-trick and added a fourth just before the break.
Pep Guardiola sold Cole Palmer last year
PA
He becomes the first player in Premier League history to score four goals in the first half of a match.
The attacking midfielder could have added another in the second half with a great chance while clean through on goal.
It’s the kind of display England were crying out for in a tournament this summer where they were devoid of attacking intent.
England fans were crying out for more creativity throughout the Euros, despite going on to reach another final under Southgate.
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Cole Palmer was disappointed with a lack of minutes under Gareth Southgate
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The 54-year-old can be heralded for his achievement in taking England to back-to-back Euros finals, but there will always be that question of what if he had taken a bit more of a gamble with players like Palmer sitting in the wings.
Guardiola may not feel as aggrieved witnessing the rise of Palmer from afar given the success he’s enjoyed at City with four consecutive Premier League titles.
But City were found wanting against Newcastle earlier on Saturday in a frustrating 1-1 draw and Palmer may well have made the difference if he was still on their books.
It’s Chelsea who are now reaping the benefits and, at just 22 years old, there’s plenty more to come.