Gary Neville: Cole Palmer "Played" by Pep Guardiola After Chelsea's Defeat

Gary Neville has criticised Cole Palmer for laughing with Pep Guardiola after Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat at Manchester City, suggesting the interaction may have upset Chelsea fans.

Original Source
FotMob
Written by
Craig 'Tosh' McKinnon
27 Jan
8:15
Match News

The1905.Club Summary

Cole Palmer faced criticism from Gary Neville for his on-pitch interaction with Pep Guardiola following Chelsea's loss at the Etihad. Despite a quiet game where Palmer failed to make a significant impact, he was seen smiling and conversing with Guardiola post-match. Neville suggested the moment lacked awareness of the fans' disappointment, calling it a misstep for the Chelsea forward.

Key Points

  • Performance Criticism: Palmer had a subdued match, attempting just one shot (0.07 xG) and creating one chance, despite leading Chelsea in final-third passes.
  • Post-Match Interaction: Neville interpreted Palmer’s friendly chat with Guardiola as "playing into Pep's hands" and questioned its timing after a disappointing loss.
  • Fans' Perspective: Neville emphasized that Chelsea fans, who traveled in large numbers, might view the interaction as inappropriate given the defeat's circumstances.

More On This Story

More sources covering the same story appear below 👇  
Photo Credit
Getty Images
View original content
Written by 
Craig 'Tosh' McKinnon
Co-founder of The1905Club. A life long Chelsea fan and season ticket holder for over twenty years. Now residing in Poland, this doesn't stop Tosh from watching every minute of every game.
match report
Live data provided by