Pep Guardiola says Cole Palmer spurned his offer of more playing time at Manchester City to sign for Chelsea last summer.
Whatever the nuances, there will be motivation on both sides at Sunday's Stamford Bridge reunion between the world’s greatest manager and the 21-year-old talent who defied him.
Palmer had started only three Premier League games when he left the club he joined aged six. In contrast, he has begun the last five for Mauricio Pochettino — scoring three goals — and is a decent outside bet to make England’s squad for the Euros.