Pep Guardiola sent Cole Palmer a nasty seven-word letter before his stunning £40 million transfer to Chelsea.
Palmer rose through the ranks at City and helped the Blues win the treble last season, appearing 25 times in all competitions.
However, the 21-year-old was keen for more playing time coming into the current season after scoring in both the Community Shield and UEFA Super Cup finals.
On deadline day, Palmer signed a seven-year contract with Chelsea and has been a revelation at Stamford Bridge.
His astonishing four-goal haul against Everton on Monday increased his tally to 23.
Palmer, who has established himself as Chelsea’s talisman, now appears to be a lock for England’s Euro 2024 squad after being quickly integrated into Gareth Southgate’s plans.
According to Palmer, he did not want to leave City and desired a loan transfer somewhere.
But Guardiola did not give Palmer that option, hence why he moved on permanently.
“Initially, I didn’t want to leave,” he told the Daily Mail.
“I said I’d go on loan and play for a year so I could be more prepared for first-team football because I didn’t get many minutes last season.
“But then Pep said, ‘You’re either staying or getting sold,’ and I just got sold.
“I was a bit confused why they wouldn’t let me go on loan but [then] I said I wanted to go to Chelsea and I’m glad it’s turned out the way it has.”
Responding in February, Guardiola said he “understood” why Palmer wanted more minutes but pointed out the world-class players he had been competing with.
In a news conference, Guardiola stated: “If Palmer had the minutes I gave Phil [Foden] from the start, Cole Palmer would be here – but I didn’t give them to him.”
“That’s my responsibility. Why? Because of Bernardo Silva, Riyad Mahrez, and Philip. In that time, I selected the other options.”
Palmer will face his former club for the third time on Saturday, when City and Chelsea meet in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley.