Pep Guardiola claimed that Cole Palmer forced his way out of Manchester City after wanting to leave for ‘two years’.

Palmer, who joined City’s academy at the age of eight, broke into Guardiola’s team during Covid and chose to make a £42million switch to Chelsea last summer.

The forward has since fired 20 Premier League goals, level with Erling Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot, and is set for a spot in England’s European Championship squad in Germany.

Palmer comes face to face with his old employers at Wembley for Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final.

‘He was asking for two seasons to leave and I said stay,’ Guardiola said. ‘He said he wanted to leave. What could we do? I said stay because Riyad [Mahrez] is gone but for two seasons he wanted to leave.’

Pep Guardiola revealed Cole Palmer had been asking to leave Man City for two seasons

Palmer is in a race with former team mate Phil Foden for the PFA Player of the Year award after a stunning first campaign at Stamford Bridge.

‘Playing that level is exceptional,’ Guardiola added. ‘He's an exceptional player. I didn't give the minutes that maybe he deserved and now he has at Chelsea. I understand completely.

‘He's a shy guy with a lot of potential. It is what it is. He's playing fantastic so what can I say, the decision has been made for many reasons.’

Haaland is a doubt for the cup clash after coming off before extra-time of Wednesday’s Champions League but Kevin De Bruyne is expected to be available.

Guardiola launched a staunch defence of his stars following the penalty defeat. ‘You want to play 120 minutes how we played the last 80?’ the Catalan said.

‘Do you know which team we were facing? Did you expect they wouldn't have the ball or the opportunities to create that?

‘And think we were going to win another Treble? And next season another Treble? And win the Premier League by 20 points? It's not true. The most unbelievable thing is that we competed as a team until the end.’