Opinion: Winning the Club World Cup bodes well for Chelsea's future success
The victory against PSG sends a message to their Premier League rivals
Chelsea didn’t just beat Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the Club World Cup final, but they outclassed them over 90 minutes. They dismantled the reigning European champions in a way that wasn’t just tactical or physical. It was psychological.
Cole Palmer, just 23, ran the show with an authority that should send shivers through the Premier League. Two goals, both clinically finished with that signature left foot, and a brilliant assist for Joao Pedro — who’s proving himself to be a revelation this summer — capped a first-half blitz that PSG simply never recovered from.
The world might have expected PSG to complete their fairytale. But on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Chelsea reminded everyone that underdogs can write their own ending — and Palmer was the one holding the pen.
“It's a great feeling. Even better because everyone doubted us before the game, we knew that,” Palmer said afterwards. “To put a fight on like we did, it's good.”
At the same time, PSG looked rattled. Joao Neves’ red card late in the match for pulling Marc Cucurella’s hair was a moment of pure frustration — and an admission, in its own twisted way, that the Parisians had no answers. Even PSG manager Luis Enrique and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma couldn’t keep their cool after the final whistle, engaging in an ugly shoving match with Joao Pedro at midfield.
Champions don’t act like that. Not when they’re composed. Not when they believe in the comeback.
“Chelsea were more effective than us, they worked well on our slight weakness,” PSG captain Marquinhos admitted. “Tactically, they caused us problems in the first half and we were slow to react. These are things we'll need to change going forward. I think all teams will now study us closely to see what we do well and what we do badly. It's up to us now to always be at the top of our game.”
Chelsea, by contrast, played like a team on a mission – and not just to lift the newly expanded Club World Cup trophy. Palmer and Chelsea were playing for pride, for legitimacy and for the future. After a fourth-place finish in the Premier League and a Conference League trophy that few took seriously, this was the moment Chelsea reminded the world they belong in the top tier.
The narrative last week was about PSG chasing an unprecedented quadruple.
Ligue 1? Check.
Coupe de France? Check.
Champions League? Finally, check.
It was not meant to be. When it came to the world stage, with the millions watching on TV (and yes, even U.S. President Donald Trump was in the stands), it was Chelsea, under astute tactician Enzo Maresa at the helm, who stole the spotlight.
Let’s not gloss over how Chelsea’s goals came either. They were crafted — not gifted. Palmer’s first came off a broken play, but he pounced with the kind of poise few players his age possess.
The second goal was a thing of pure beauty, running onto Levi Colwill’s pass, cutting in and finishing like a veteran. And the third, with Palmer sliding Joao Pedro through for a clever chip over Donnarumma, was the kind of move that would’ve made prime Eden Hazard proud.
Chelsea now head into the upcoming season with something they haven’t had in years: Belief.
It’s a real belief that they can go toe-to-toe with Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal for the league title. With Palmer in this form, why not?