Cole Palmer responds to Enzo Fernandez’s gushing message
Chelsea have had Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer to thank in their last two finals as Enzo Maresca reflects on his first season in charge.
The Italian has gone from the Championship to the Champions League in his year as Chelsea‘s manager and ends his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge with two brand-new pieces of silverware in the cabinet.
Chelsea’s run to UEFA Conference League glory allowed Maresca to maximise all the depth in his bloated Chelsea squad and he has done the same at the Club World Cup, using 45 players across the season.
That depth paid dividends at the Club World Cup as all 25 of the Blues’ outfield players featured over the course of tournament, as Chelsea once again went all the way to the decider and demolished PSG 3-0.
Fernandez sends ‘thank you’ message after Chelsea success
Chelsea impressed in their 4-1 thumping of Real Betis in the Conference League decider as Fernandez‘s 65th-minute equaliser sparked a late scoring spree, but they were ruthless from minute one against PSG.
Palmer tucked home two almost identical goals within half an hour at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, and new signing Joao Pedro added a third before half-time to all-but seal the result for Chelsea.
Full-time came after a controlled second-half display from the Blues which ended with a brawl and a red card for Joao Neves, and Fernandez posted on Instagram (14 July) to show his gratitude once more.
Fernandez’s post included images of his team-mates, family and the trophy itself with the simple caption of “thank you”, and Palmer was one of several Chelsea players to comment with three ‘love heart’ emojis.
Palmer’s position untouchable as new Chelsea transfers continue
Football Insider Verdict
Not only did Chelsea give debuts to players signed directly before the Club World Cup in Dario Essugo, Liam Delap and Mamadou Sarr, they also splashed over £100million on new signings mid-tournament.
Joao Pedro proved to be an instant hit after his £60m arrival from Brighton, scoring both goals in their semi-final win over Fluminense and adding the third after Palmer’s double against PSG in the decider.
Delap and Pedro have already been joined in Maresca’s squad by fellow attackers Kendry Paez, Jamie Gittens and Estevao Willian, but all three can think again if they believe they can compete with Palmer’s place in an increasingly exciting Chelsea frontline.