After Cole Palmer was linked with a shock move to Manchester United, Alan Shearer offered his thoughts on the reports around the Chelsea midfielder
Alan Shearer believes Manchester United would not have been able to convince Chelsea to sell Cole Palmer – even if the midfielder wanted to leave.
Recent reports have claimed Palmer, 23, has been longing for a return to his hometown of Wythenshawe and would be open to a move to United. Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior rubbished those reports claiming they are not true, before branding the ex-Manchester City midfielder as “untouchable.”
It has since been stated United will not be making any move for the England international as he is too far out of their transfer budget. This would come as no surprise to Shearer, who believes United would not have been able to prise him out of Stamford Bridge.
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Speaking to Betfair, Shearer said: “I’ve read the reports and I listened to Liam Rosenior after the games saying how happy Cole Palmer is. I mean, he didn’t do so bad against Napoli for Chelsea when he came on, and they were under the cosh.
“I wouldn’t get too carried away by those reports. If it was Cole coming out and saying that, then I would get it and perhaps understand it. I would say the same as what I’ve said before.
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“For someone of that standard and how much it would cost to then put yourself in that position to go somewhere else and back to Manchester, that would be a big ask too. I wouldn’t get carried away with those reports as yet.”
Palmer is also a boyhood United supporter, which poured more fuel onto the rumours linking him with a switch to Old Trafford. However, United are not expected to be in the market for an attacking midfielder.
A defensive midfielder is a more serious priority, with Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba, Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson and Crystal Palace midfield engine Adam Wharton at the top of their list.
Even if Palmer was feeling homesick, Shearer looked back at his own experience of homesickness to state Palmer will most likely get over it. The Newcastle United legend added: “I know what it’s like to get homesick, when I left home at 15.
“But it’s not as if I could just jump back on a train from Southampton to Newcastle. You sort of get used to that.
“I don’t know his situation, who or what he’s with in terms of partners, but you have to take that into account as well. I got homesick, but it’s not as if Palmer can just run back at the first sign of it, is it?”
Palmer has five goals and two assist for Chelsea in all competitions this season. Injuries have hampered his campaign, but his display in Naples suggests he is getting back to full fitness.
