Let’s get it right, Cole Palmer did not get to meet Donald Trump. It was the other way around. The US President got to meet Chelsea’s superstar on a night when he was at the peak of his powers at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Behind Trump as he stayed put on the podium for the trophy lift was a confused Palmer appearing to ask his team-mates: ‘What’s he doing?’ It was strange scene, to say the least, an absurdity the like of which we have not seen at a football fixture before.
Though Trump tried his best to take the headlines, they belonged to Palmer, but then we should also give credit to someone else. That is Enzo Maresca, the Chelsea manager.
It was his tactical plan which allowed Palmer to do what he did, scoring two goals and creating the third for Joao Pedro as Luis Enrique’s Paris Saint-Germain were beaten by half-time.
It was no coincidence that Palmer had so much space towards the right-hand side of the pitch, because Maresca came up with a way to preoccupy PSG’s formidable three-man midfield.
Vitinha was forced to look after Enzo Fernandez, while Fabian Ruiz had Reece James and Joao Neves had Moises Caicedo. Chelsea went man-to-man and with right back Malo Gusto charging down his wing to pin back Nuno Mendes, it created overloads.
Cole Palmer took the headlines, despite Donald Trump’s best efforts, as Chelsea won the Club World Cup
Palmer scored twice and set up Chelsea’s third as the Blues stunned PSG in New York
Enzo Maresca deserves praise for his tactical plan which freed up Palmer against PSG
Palmer was moving inside from that flank into the spaces available and if there is one no-no in football, it is that you should not leave the 23-year-old Englishman on his own.
Chelsea like passing from the back but their players were given the licence to go long, given PSG possess the most fearsome press in football. That was especially true in looking towards Palmer on the right.
It worked perfectly, with PSG unable to respond in real time. Enrique did not correct what was happening and once the scoreline was 3-0, the game was gone.
Maresca felt this Club World Cup final was won in the first 10 minutes, however. He told us that his message to the players was: ‘Let them understand we are here to win the game.’
Chelsea’s aggression was clear. They did not let PSG breathe in that early period, when Palmer could and probably should have scored an extra goal, his attempt kissing the post after a lovely flicked lay-off from their new £55million signing from Brighton in Joao Pedro.
Has a player ever enjoyed a better beginning to life at a new club than the 23-year-old Brazilian? On June 28, he was holidaying in Rio de Janeiro. On June 29, he flew to the United States after an agreement had been reached between the clubs involved.
On July 2, he signed for Chelsea. July 5 marked his debut versus Palmeiras, and July 8 saw him score twice against Fluminense. Now, he is a world champion, having scored Chelsea’s third goal after Palmer’s assisted pass through the PSG defence.
Maresca found a way for Chelsea to occupy PSG’s midfield and leave Palmer free in space
European champions PSG were unable to cope with Chelsea’s aggression throughout the final
Joao Pedro scored Chelsea’s third in the final as his dream start to life at the club continues
Chelsea face a short pre-season after their success, but will hope Marseca’s tactics pay off
Maresca is clearly a fan of Joao Pedro, having broken his own rule for him in throwing someone so new into his line-ups. We will not have to wait long to see how Chelsea’s head coach tries to get the best out of him alongside Palmer and Co.
Chelsea’s stars will not be taking part in a parade back on the streets of London. They are now set for three weeks of downtime, resting ahead of returning for pre-season. Their Premier League season will begin at home to Crystal Palace on August 17.
What they may lack in fitness compared to their rivals, Chelsea will hope they can make up in the tactics deployed. PSG fell foul of that here as Maresca made sure to unleash Palmer on them and when he is a mood as devastating as this, there is nobody better.
