William Gallas says Chelsea’s Cole Palmer could fulfil Manchester United dream

William Gallas believes Cole Palmer will eventually leave Chelsea for Manchester United, although the former France defender does not expect the move to happen this summer.

Palmer’s future has come under renewed scrutiny after Gallas described a switch to Old Trafford as “a matter of time”. The 23-year-old joined Chelsea from Manchester City in the summer of 2023 for £42.5m and has since established himself as one of the club’s most influential players.

Speaking to iPredicta, Gallas said: “I don’t think Palmer will leave now, the timing is not right.. But if he is a passionate United fan and dreams of playing there, he will definitely move there in the future.”

Gallas added: “I think he needs to produce another outstanding season with Chelsea, as he did two years ago before his injury, and then the move could happen.”

The comments follow a difficult campaign for Chelsea, who failed to qualify for any European competition. That outcome has revived earlier reports suggesting Palmer misses Manchester and may want to return there after moving to London.

Chelsea’s management denied those reports at the start of this year, attempting to end speculation that Palmer’s time at Stamford Bridge could be coming to an end.

Palmer spent 13 years in Manchester City’s academy before leaving the club for Chelsea. He is also known to have supported Manchester United since childhood, adding to the interest surrounding Gallas’ prediction.

The latest claims coincided with comments from Andre Santos, who recently joined Manchester United from Chelsea. Santos revealed that Palmer contacted him after his move to Old Trafford was completed.

“I received a message from Cole as soon as I transferred. He sent it because he was born in Manchester and knows everything here,” Santos said.

“He said to me: ‘All the best in your career, you deserve this, I am very excited to be here with my new team-mates’.”

Santos signed a five-year contract with Manchester United for £48m, with a further £2m available in add-ons. He had insisted on leaving Chelsea in search of a regular starting opportunity.

Palmer’s current position at Chelsea was not otherwise changed by Gallas’ remarks, and there has been no indication in the article that a transfer is imminent. Instead, the former defender’s comments have added to speculation about whether the England international could one day return to Manchester and join the club he supported as a boy.