Gary Neville criticized Cole Palmer for his post-match conversation with Pep Guardiola on the pitch after Chelsea lost 3-1 to Man City.
Palmer, 22, came through City's academy under Guardiola but was sold to the west London club in the summer of 2023 after struggling for regular playing time.
The attacking midfielder has been a revelation at Chelsea, racking up a remarkable 60 goals in just 70 games.
However, Palmer had a rare off night on his second return to the Etihad as Enzo Maresca's side succumbed to a disappointing defeat.
And, after the game, Palmer enjoyed a long conversation on the pitch with Guardiola, where they could be seen laughing and smiling.
This provoked a heated reaction from Neville, who insisted that Palmer's behavior was not appropriate for the situation.
Gary Neville criticized Cole Palmer for his post-match conversation with Pep Guardiola
The City youth player was seen in deep discussion with Guardiola after Chelsea's defeat
Gary Neville criticized Palmer and said his actions are not what Chelsea fans want to see
'“I want to say something about Cole Palmer,” he said. The Gary Neville Podcast. “He was talking to Pep Guardiola on the pitch right at the end of the game.
“And he was smiling with him and he was… Pep Guardiola does that. (But) Cole, they're fooling you, they're fooling you here.
“You didn't do enough on that field in the second half. He's an incredible player, absolutely brilliant, but you know one thing… those Chelsea fans who traveled today, between 3,000 and 4,000 people to that far corner, wanted something better than that.
“They really don't want to see you talking to the opposing coach and smiling at the end of the game.”
Despite making his City debut at the age of 18 in September 2020, Palmer would only play 19 times for the club over the next three years as he struggled for playing time with the likes of Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez and Raheem. Sterling.
Palmer finally made the decision to move on after just three Premier League starts and Neville highlighted this as another reason why he shouldn't chat and smile with Guardiola on the pitch.
“I'm not being old school here,” he added. “But there was something about that when I thought: Pep Guardiola is playing with you here.” I know he had it, (but) he didn't play it here and sell it.'
'Having an internal conversation, I'm not against that. He's obviously played for the coach. In the end I felt something that I didn't think was right from Cole Palmer's perspective.
Neville criticized Palmer's performance and felt that he did not do enough for Chelsea that night.
He also claimed that Guardiola was “playing” with Palmer and felt the conversation was “not right.”
“I don't look at why Pep Guardiola did it, that's what Pep Guardiola does, but I wouldn't do that if they had lost 3-1 away from home and it would have been so disappointing.”
“And Cole Palmer expected more from him in the second half.”
Despite Palmer's disappointing night, which was the second straight game in which the 22-year-old didn't score or assist, he is in the midst of a good season.
The attacking midfielder has scored 14 goals and provided six assists in 23 Premier League games.
Chelsea dropped to sixth place after their defeat at the Etihad and will return to action a week later on Monday when they host West Ham.