I’M UP 4-4 ANOTHER THRILLER
Cole set for his first return to Etihad after scoring against City in classic at Bridge
COLE PALMER goes back to Manchester City for the first time since his £42.5million defection to Chelsea – and he fancies another tear-up.
The England forward has contributed 12 goals and nine assists since his shock move to Stamford Bridge six months ago – including a last-gasp penalty in the crazy 4-4 draw with City back in November.
Palmer, 21, admits it will be “strange and weird” when he returns to the Etihad on Saturday, hoping to show Pep Guardiola he sacrificed a jewel.
He called Guardiola’s bluff after asking to go out on loan for a year to gain more regular playing time and the Blue Moon messiah gave him an ultimatum: “You’re either staying or you’re getting sold.”
Now Palmer faces a big eight days – a return to his birthplace followed by the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.
The Wythenshawe wizard has become the Blues’ most productive catalyst in the final third, and if there’s another eight-goal feast at the Etihad this weekend, Palmer is likely to be in the thick of it.
He said: “I don’t know if it will be another classic but it will be a tough game, won’t it? It will be strange and weird going back to the Etihad but I am looking forward to it and the team is looking forward to it.
“I came to Chelsea to get minutes and play week-in and week-out because obviously at City that wasn’t happening.
“I came here to get an opportunity and thanks to the club that’s happening now. I just need to keep going and go up some more levels.”
Asked if he was savouring the chance to show Guardiola what he was missing, Palmer said: “Yes, I just try to do that every game, so we’ll see.”
Chelsea’s Jekyll-and-hyde season continues to veer between £1billion worth of promise and impoverished underachievement.
But consecutive 3-1 wins at Aston Villa and Crystal Palace have reignited their season. Palmer credits boss Mauricio Pochettino’s manmanagement for keeping the dressing room mood stable and said: “It was a big win versus Villa and to win again at Palace was good for the momentum.
“You know what football fans are like – Chelsea is a big club, we’ve seen them win many things for a long time and if we don’t get results, they are going to be on to us.
“But I think you’ve seen in the last two games that we are trying to stick together in our development and to keep going as a team.
“The manager helps us all every day. It’s just little conversations and telling us what we need to do.
“He supports us massively and credit to the manager for keeping us all together.
“He has been amazing with me from the first day. When I first came in, he gave me the freedom and confidence to go out there and play so, yes, I am enjoying it.
“Everyone is going to talk if you’re not doing well. We need to block it out – and focus on ourselves.”