Cole Palmer Slams Critics After Iconic Display as Chelsea Humble PSG to Win Club World Cup
Cole Palmer delivered a resounding response to Chelsea’s critics by spearheading a stunning 3-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final — a win that not only secured silverware but also marked a turning point in the narrative surrounding the Blues’ season.
Under the bright lights of the MetLife Stadium in New York, Palmer’s first-half brace and an assist for Joao Pedro sealed a comprehensive triumph against the Champions League winners, capping off what has been an increasingly impressive campaign under Enzo Maresca.
“Everyone Talked a Lot of S*** About Us”
Speaking to DAZN after collecting the Man of the Match award, Palmer didn’t hold back when asked about the perception of Chelsea throughout the season.
“He’s [Maresca] building something special, something important with a young team. Everyone’s talked a lot of s** about us all season, but I feel like we’re going in the right direction.”*
It was a bold statement, but one backed up by a performance that silenced the doubters. Palmer struck twice in the space of eight minutes — both goals showcasing his now-trademark composed left-footed finishes — before turning provider for Joao Pedro, who made it 3-0 just before half-time.
“Obviously it’s a great feeling, even better because everyone doubted us before the game,” Palmer continued. “We knew that and to go out there and put a fight on like we did against a great team, yes, it’s good.”
Tactical Brilliance from Maresca
Palmer was quick to credit Maresca for Chelsea’s dominance.
“The gaffer put a great gameplan out. Obviously he knew where the space was going to be and he tried to free me up as much as possible, and I just had to repay him and score some goals.”
That plan worked to perfection. Chelsea pressed with intensity, passed with purpose, and executed with clinical efficiency. Palmer floated into dangerous areas repeatedly, exploiting the pockets between PSG’s midfield and backline. It was a tactical masterclass from Maresca, whose system allowed Chelsea’s attacking fluidity to overwhelm their star-studded opponents.
PSG’s Frustration Boils Over
As Chelsea coasted to victory, PSG unraveled. Joao Neves was sent off five minutes from time for dragging Marc Cucurella to the ground by his hair, and tensions spilled over again at the final whistle, with Joao Pedro briefly on the receiving end of PSG’s frustration in a heated scuffle.
But nothing could dampen Chelsea’s celebrations. For a squad that’s been labeled inexperienced and inconsistent, this win was a statement of intent — and proof of the progress being made.
Maresca: “We Won It in the First 10 Minutes”
A visibly elated Maresca praised his players’ intensity and mentality.
“No words for the players. They deserve [this]. It’s a good moment.”
“For me, we won the game in the first 10 minutes. We set the tempo, we set the way we wanted to play. We were very good.”
Despite difficult weather conditions, Chelsea never looked back after their electric start.
“It is not easy to continue for 90 minutes, but I think we won the game in the first 10 minutes.”
Asked about the future, Maresca smiled:
“Yes, very excited, but a bit more excited that we have three weeks off now.”
Turning the Page
Chelsea’s win marks their first Club World Cup title since 2021 and gives Maresca his first piece of silverware as head coach. For Palmer, it was further validation of his decision to swap Manchester City for West London — and for Chelsea fans, a glimpse of the leadership and mentality their young star brings on the biggest stage.
For a team that’s endured heavy scrutiny all year, this was the ultimate reply. Chelsea didn’t just beat PSG. They dismantled them. And Cole Palmer, once again, led the way.
Cole Palmer Slams Critics After Iconic Display as Chelsea Humble PSG to Win Club World Cup
