Chelsea's Cole Palmer lashes out at Guardiola, Southgate

Chelsea star Cole Palmer has taken a little swipe at two of his old managers. First of all, the former Manchester City wonderkid took aim at former boss Pep Guardiola. The disagreement concerns the reasoning, understanding and motives behind Palmer's ultimate transfer to Chelsea. But what did the England playmaker say about the supposed Citizens genius? Was the player correct and justified in his words? And can we expect a curt response to come from Guardiola?

In addition to talking City, Palmer was also asked about ex-Three Lions head coach Gareth Southgate. Southgate was a polarising gaffer when it came to the fans: some loved him, while others deplored his defensive approach. And it appears that some footballers who played under the one-time Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough man were not enamoured by him either. Let's hear what the Blues superstar had to say about Southgate, along with his then-fledging career with the famous National Team.

Pep Guardiola is an innovative footballing great - but he's not immune to making the worst of mistakes in the game

It should quickly be noted that Chelsea unfortunately allowed the amazing Mohamed Salah and the equally incredible Kevin De Bruyne to slip through the net. And that, really, is unforgivable and regrettable. It's also something that I better not dwell on here.

Though Man City's main man, one who is truly revered and hero-worshiped, well he can make the biggest of errors as well. You see, Guardiola allowed a soon-to-be generational footballer to get out of his considerable grasp too.

It is slightly harder to understand why the Spaniard would let Palmer go at any price. Also, why didn't he just give the precocious 22-year-old more minutes and greater opportunities? Having monitored and nurtured the player since he was a lad, Guardiola's decision simply doesn't add up.

And the two are now contradicting one another in the media, apparently unintentionally. The former Barcelona leader claims the now-standout Blue 'begged MCFC to sell him'. Although, Palmer sees it differently to Guardiola:

"City boss Pep Guardiola later claimed that Palmer had begged the club to sell him, but the England ace insists that isn't the case. 'No – do you know what, I just wanted to go on loan,' Palmer said, before explaining how Guardiola's reluctance to use him even after the departure of Riyad Mahrez ultimately turned his head."

Chelsea's Cole Palmer speaks on working relationship with Gareth Southgate

Palmer should have been playing more at the Euro 2024 tournament, and that is that! While Southgate is talented in the managerial arena in my eyes, he wasn't brave enough to utilise the boy wonder in Germany. And Palmer totally agrees, as you can imagine:

"It was frustrating at England, to be fair. Not to say that the players aren’t good. But just coming off the back of the season I had, the form I was in, everything I was doing was coming off.

So I’m not playing in the first two games even when the team was struggling, it was a bit like ‘Why?’ Do you know what I mean?

If you bring me on [in] the third game and I don’t do anything, then I can’t really say anything. I just had to try and force my way in."