Cole Palmer - from 'street boy' to king of the world stage

Cole Palmer shone with a brace against PSG.

No pressure, no fanfare. But then, he left the entire PSG squad – the reigning European champions – staring at each other in bewilderment, not understanding what was happening. Because Palmer, with two classy goals and a sublime assist in less than 45 minutes, had shattered what was considered the most perfect team in Europe at the moment.

A pivotal match. Not only for Chelsea, but also for Palmer himself – who from now on will no longer be just a "rising young talent," but a true world-class star.

From billboards all over New York, people had already seen Palmer alongside Ousmane Dembele during a photoshoot at Top of the Rock. But few imagined that 24 hours later, Palmer would be standing on top of the world – with his magical footwork and incredible coolness at the age of 23.

His two goals – both scored from the left corner of the penalty area, both clever low shots that deceived Donnarumma – were like copy-pasted. But behind that "similarity" lies cunning, keen spatial awareness, and increasingly refined finishing ability.

In a final where PSG had 60% possession, Palmer was the one who let Chelsea win. In the 42nd minute, he took the ball in midfield, observed the situation perfectly, then threaded a pass to Joao Pedro who chipped the ball over Donnarumma's head. 3-0. PSG collapsed.

Coach Enzo Maresca played a perfect game. Neither defensively nor naively pressing all the way down, Chelsea chose a direct approach, bypassing PSG's midfield, which was their strong point. From the very first minute, goalkeeper Robert Sanchez launched long balls to the right wing – where Mendes was repeatedly exploited by Gusto and Palmer. This combination of pragmatism and composure allowed Chelsea to control the match.

Cole truly deserves the title of world-class star.

Under Maresca, Chelsea were no longer a naive young team. They became sharper, knowing when to accelerate and when to retreat. Caicedo – who nearly missed out due to injury – played a game of a lifetime, completely overshadowing PSG's midfield. Joao Pedro made the most of his opportunities, Gusto worked tirelessly, and Reece James was brought into the midfield to add defensive weight.

But all that effort revolved around one key element: Palmer. He was the one who fired the first shot, the one who finished it off, and the catalyst that made everything flow smoothly.

From a player once considered "reject" by Man City, Palmer is now a true number 10 for Chelsea – both in position and influence. The name "Cole Palmer FC" was once used sarcastically, but after that glorious night in New York, it has become a designation for his leadership.

Palmer didn't need to run much, he wasn't flashy. He moved intelligently, shielding the ball with his slender yet strong physique, handling it with his agile left foot and cool head. No ridiculousness, no unnecessary movements. Every touch of the ball had a purpose, every pass contained calculation.

And that's why Chelsea can now leave the US with their heads held high, carrying the World Cup trophy, nearly £100 million in prize money, and most importantly: the belief that they possess a true superstar – someone who can lead the team into a new era.

Cole Palmer didn't just shine; he shaped the game in his own way. And when a young player can turn a world final into a personal playground – perhaps we are witnessing the birth of a future legend.

PSG suffered a crushing defeat against Chelsea in the Club World Cup final. In the early hours of July 14th, PSG lost to Chelsea 0-3 in the match to decide the champion of the Club World Cup.

Source: https://znews.vn/cole-palmer-tu-cau-be-duong-pho-den-ong-hoang-san-khau-the-gioi-post1568400.html