He told BBC Sport: "He speaks to you about anything, like family issues. I think if he knows what's going on off the pitch, it can affect how he is with you on the pitch. He's really great at that.
"He's given me the freedom to play my stuff and I like it when he frees you because I feel I can express my stuff more.
"I'm loving it. Every day he's talking to you about different things, not just football things but life things as well. He's good at making you feel good and trying to get the best out of you."
Palmer also said: "What I learnt at City, I wouldn't be able to learn anywhere else with the manager and the players that were there, one of the best in the world," said Palmer.
"Then I felt I was ready to play and I thought I might as well just go for it (joining Chelsea). I just felt like I was ready to play football week in, week out."