Gary Neville has hit out at Chelsea star Cole Palmer for engaging in a light-hearted conversation with former manager Pep Guardiola after the Blues’ 3-1 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
The former Manchester United defender believes Palmer’s actions were inappropriate given Chelsea’s poor performance and the disappointment of their travelling fans.
Palmer’s Off Day Against Man City
Palmer, who has been a standout performer for Chelsea since joining from Manchester City in the summer of 2023, struggled to make an impact during the Premier League clash.
The 22-year-old was largely anonymous in the second half as City took control of the match and sealed the victory.
Despite Chelsea’s heavy defeat, Palmer was seen sharing a jovial chat with Guardiola on the pitch at full-time, which did not sit well with Neville.
"Cole, you're being played mate."
Gary Neville says Chelsea fans would not have wanted to see Cole Palmer smiling and talking to Pep Guardiola after their defeat to Man City 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/Rl8k0CTMaf
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 25, 2025
Gary Neville Criticises Palmer
Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast, the former England defender expressed his frustration: “I want to say something about Cole Palmer. He was talking to Pep Guardiola on the pitch right at the end of the game. And he was smiling with him. Pep Guardiola does that, but Cole, you’re being played here. You didn’t do enough out on that pitch in the second half.”
Neville further emphasised the frustration Chelsea fans would feel after witnessing their team’s lacklustre performance: “Those Chelsea fans that travelled today, 3,000 to 4,000 over in that far corner, they wanted better than that. They don’t really want to see you conversing with the opposition manager and smiling at the end of the game.”
The Optics of Palmer’s Interaction with Guardiola
Neville acknowledged Palmer’s prior relationship with Guardiola but maintained that, given the context of the match, the conversation should have been avoided. “I’m not being old-school here. But there was something about that when I thought, Pep Guardiola is playing you here. I know he’s had him, but he didn’t play him here, and he sold him.”
The pundit suggested that Palmer should have focused on reflecting on his underwhelming display rather than engaging in a friendly chat with his former boss.
“I just felt at the end, something about that didn’t feel right from a Cole Palmer perspective. If I’d lost 3-1 away from home and I’d been as disappointing as that, I wouldn’t be smiling with the opposition manager.”
Chelsea will have an opportunity to bounce back when they take on West Ham at Stamford Bridge on February 3.
