Cole Palmer has been linked with a move to Manchester United, but Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has attempted to put the rumours to bed with a firm update on the England international
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has moved to dismiss speculation connecting Cole Palmer with what he describes as an ‘unrealistic’ transfer to Manchester United. The new Chelsea head coach maintains that Palmer is ‘untouchable’ and will not be departing Stamford Bridge in the foreseeable future.
The midfielder signed a seven-year contract with the Blues in September 2023, including a club option for an additional year. Shortly after departing his native Wythenshawe in south Manchester for west London, Palmer received his first call-up to the England squad, having established himself as a Premier League star at Chelsea.
But reports emerged on Monday suggesting that Palmer, a boyhood United supporter, would be receptive to a return to Manchester and a switch to United, despite their current difficulties. The 23-year-old was said to be willing to entertain approaches from Old Trafford, having allegedly grown unsettled in London, where he has spent the last two and a half years following his £42.5million departure from Manchester City.
However, Rosenior delivered a forthright response before Chelsea’s Champions League fixture away to Napoli on Wednesday. When questioned whether Palmer was ‘untouchable’ and ‘happy’, Rosenior answered: “Yes and yes.
“It’s simple: Cole’s an incredible player like [Moises Caicedo] sitting next to me and many players in the group. I’m not surprised at the timing (of the rumours).
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“A new manager comes in and all of a sudden there’s people are (looking to) unsettle. It’s not true. Cole’s here, he’s very happy and I can’t wait to see him on the pitch.
“There’s no reason for an assurance (from Chelsea’s directors). It’s so unrealistic. It’s come from nowhere, there’s nothing in it. There’s no reason to have the conversation, that’s where I’m at.
“Cole is very happy. We’ve had numerous conversations with him on how we can make this team better, how he can improve and how I can help him – because he loves being here and he wants to be a Chelsea player.
“You can’t stop speculation, but some speculation is so far from the truth, there’s not point having any discussion about it.”
Prior to their 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday, Rosenior said: “I’ve had numerous conversations with Cole and he seems very happy to be here, he is very happy to be here. He’s a huge part of our plans in the long term.
“He’s an outstanding player. Every player goes through difficult moments in their career in terms of injury.
“It’s not any reflection of his quality.”
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