Pep: Palmer asked to leave City for two years

Cole Palmer tried to leave Manchester City "for two seasons" before joining Chelsea, manager Pep Guardiola said Friday. Palmer moved to Stamford Bridge in a £42.5 million ($53m) deal in the summer and has become one of the signings of the season after scoring 23 goals in all competitions, including 20 in the Premier League. Guardiola shrugged when asked whether it was a mistake to let Palmer move but said the 21-year-old wanted to leave the Etihad Stadium long before he joined Chelsea.