Coming into the final, everybody knew that Cole Palmer would have to be at his very best if Chelsea were to have a chance against PSG, a team that had won the Champions League final 5-0 against Inter Milan and handed the mighty Real Madrid a 4-0 defeat in the previous match. The Englishman is known for rising to the occasion but not even his biggest fans would have predicted what he was about to produce in New York.
Admittedly, the second half of the season had been tough for Palmer. The goals had dried up and it seemed to have a clear effect on his confidence.
Well, if there were any doubts about whether Palmer is one of the best in the world, there should not be anymore. He almost single-handedly defeated the best team on the planet in the first-half itself.
He put Chelsea 1-0 up with a calm finish, placing it past Gianluigi Donnarumma. The second was even better as he left Vitinha, a Ballon d'Or contender in many people's eyes, chasing shadows before finding the back of the net with similar class. And then he set Joao Pedro up for the third, sending him through on goal and the Brazilian did the rest. Game, set and match.
Palmer wins Chelsea the Club World Cup with all-time performance in final
Palmer has been the face of this new Chelsea for a while. But now that he has delivered on the global stage, in a World Cup final, it feels like a statement has been sent.
Chelsea now have a Ballon d'Or contender in their ranks. They are good enough to completely outplay the European champions, a team that had looked unbeatable coming into the final.
One could argue that they just won the most important trophy of the season. The financial numbers would certainly back that claim. And with the Club World Cup now being played every four years, the prestige of it is going to skyrocket from here.
So, let's never forget. Chelsea, the first real club world champions. And Cole Palmer, the coldest of all time. The COAT.