Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola accepts full responsibility for Cole Palmer leaving to join rivals Chelsea.
The 21-year-old moved to Chelsea from City in a deal worth up to £42.5m in September and could face his former side at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Since leaving City, Palmer has made his first two England appearances and scored 10 goals in the Premier League.
“After two or three seasons he wanted more minutes than the last season. I understand completely,” said Guardiola.
“If Palmer had the minutes I gave to Phil [Foden] from the beginning, Cole Palmer would be here – but I didn’t give them to him. That is my responsibility.
“Why? Because of Bernardo [Silva], Riyad [Mahrez], Phil. In that moment, I chose the other ones.”
Palmer, who came through City’s academy, started two Premier League matches in 2022-23 with a further 12 substitute appearances as Guardiola’s side won the title.
Mahrez moved to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli in a £30m deal in July and a month later Palmer scored at Wembley for City in the Community Shield against Arsenal, with the Gunners winning 4-1 on penalties after the game had finished 1-1.
Palmer also scored in the European Super Cup win over Sevilla, but he only featured for 10 minutes as a substitute in City’s opening three Premier League games of 2023-24 before moving to Chelsea on transfer deadline day.
Palmer scored Chelsea’s late equaliser against City from the penalty spot when the sides drew 4-4 at Stamford Bridge in November.
He is Chelsea’s leading scorer this season with 12 goals in all competitions and their top assist-maker with nine and Guardiola is not surprised at his success.
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino, whose side sit 10th, eight places behind Manchester City, felt the prospect of Palmer playing against his old side would not provide extra motivation.
