Cole Palmer was shocked and amazed when President Donald Trump of the United States came on stage near Chelsea while celebrating their success of Club World Cup on Sunday.
In a time when Viral has become on social media, a bewildered Palmer seemed to wonder why Trump, who presented Chelsea with the trophy next to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, remained on stage when Reece James de Trophy and the team started their parties in the midst of fireworks and confetti.
Palmer, who scored twice and set up another like the blues bewildered favorites Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 for Trump in the New Jersey final, said afterwards: “I knew he would be here, but I didn't know he would be in the stands when we cancel the trophy.
Blues skipper James, who received the trophy from Trump, added: “They told me he would present the trophy and then leave the stage. I thought he would leave the stage, but he wanted to stay.”
Asked what Trump had said to him, James added: “To be honest, it was pretty loud. I couldn't hear too much.
“He congratulated me and the team with lifting the trophy and told us to enjoy the moment.”
Palmer: We have proven our doubters incorrectly
In the meantime, Palmer enjoyed the evidence of Chelsea's doubters, because they claimed their second club trophy from the World Cup with an excellent victory over the European champions.
Palmer found the same corner of the network of Gianluigi Donnarumma twice in eight half minutes before he set Joao Pedro for the third goal of Chelsea when they claimed their second trophy of the season after their victory of the conference.
PSG was heavily depicted to lift the trophy and to copy a quadruple fourth after the thrashing of Real Madrid with 4-0 in the semi-final, but they could not recover after the unbridled first half of Chelsea and let Joao Neves sent away for a hairstyle on Marc Cucurella.
The goals of Palmer came almost a year after he scored in the last loss of England 2024 for Spain, but this time there was never doubt that they would lead to a victory that, according to the 23-year-old, was all made by the expectations of the pre-match.
“It is clearly a great feeling,” said Palmer on Dazn. “Even better, because everyone clearly doubted us before the competition.
“But to go outside and to argue like we did against a great team, it's good.”
“I love the final and it happened again,” he added to his goals, which was equal to his total for his previous 29 performances for Club and Country combined and took him a total of 18 for the season.
“The Gaffer released a great game plan. He knew where the space would be. I just had to pay him back and score some goals.”
“He builds something special, something important,” he added from head coach Enzo Maresca. “I feel that we are going in the right direction.”
Maresca said: “Today we found a position for him where there was room to attack.
“I am happy for Cole, but the trouble of all players has been fantastic.”
In a showpiece with long-term before and half-time shows more typical of NFL games, and got the view of Trump, Maresca insisted that he saw the victory coming before their 22nd minute.
“No words for the players,” he said. “They deserve it. It's a good time.
“For me we won the game in the first 10 minutes. In the first 10 minutes we set the pace for the way we want to play. We were very good.
“Unfortunately with the weather conditions it is not easy to do for 90 minutes, but I think we won the game in the first 10 minutes.”
Chelsea is now confronted with a quick change of the new season and starts their Premier League campaign live on Sky Sports against Crystal Palace in just a month on August 17.
“Our future is very exciting,” added Maresca. “But I am more excited for three weeks off!”
Analysis: carefree Palmer shines on a large stage
Nick Wright from Sky Sports:
Palmer was depicted on a scooter by Times Square in the construction of the final. He enjoyed the same childish freedom on the field in the Metlife Stadium.
The 23-year-old had only scored twice in his previous 29 performances that entered the game. The second half of this epic season has not always been easy for him. But he has realized his nickname with his finishes for the first two goals of Chelsea.
Both were sent with infallible calmness, out of the reach of the towering figure of Gianluigi Donnarumma, who was only defeated once the tournament, and in the same corner of the net.
He showed his creative skills for the third goal, punishing space that was offered to him by Paris Saint-Germain while he was wearing the ball before he fell perfectly timing for Joao Pedro.
Palmer took place in the same spirit and played with a carefree Swagger, even when PSG started losing their heads, at one point cheers from the crowd when he held the ball in the game by Backheelen by the legs of Fabian Ruiz.
He dealt with his interaction with US President Donald Trump with the same apparent nonchalance as he collected the medal of his winner and the best player of the tournament prize. But as PSG knows now, this is a player who is taken seriously.