As good as Palmer: Chelsea may have found their new Drogba at the CWC
Chelsea are the champions of the world. Before the final against Paris Saint-Germain, rivals all across England and beyond laughed at the thought of Enzo Maresca beating this unbeatable super-team.
But beat them Chelsea did, in fact dismantling the Parisians 3-0 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. PSG, having won the Champions League, Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France, were firm favourites, but they were brushed aside by an incisive and energetic Blues side.
Not a bad maiden campaign, all told, for Maresca, whose side will now rest ahead of a new term which promises so much.
Who was it, then, who inspired the Londoners to victory? Who else?
Cole Palmer, once again on the biggest stage, stood up when his team needed a talisman.
Cole Palmer's show-stopping performance vs PSG
Crowned the Player of the Tournament after notching three goals and two assists across six matches – all of which came in the knockout stage – Palmer has proved that class is permanent with some stunning showings.
His first-half brace against Luis Enrique’s side was dispatched in typically cool fashion, with all that was could running through the Three Lions superstar.
Palmer, 23, is unquestionably Chelsea’s main man, also assisting Chelsea’s conclusive strike.
We’ve seen many times Palmer’s ability to channel some level of performance possible only through the boots of a select few geniuses across the globe, but there’s another who has the potential to become something special for the Stamford Bridge side, and he showed as much against PSG.
In fact, he’s demonstrating the properties which suggest he could be Maresca’s own version of one Didier Drogba.
Maresca has found Chelsea's new Drogba
Chelsea signed a certain Joao Pedro from Brighton & Hove Albion in a £60m deal a few weeks ago, and it’s been quite the whirlwind start to this new chapter of his career.
Aged 23, Pedro is one of the most talented developing forwards in Europe, and Chelsea must feel they have hit the jackpot already, with his confident efforts in the United States certainly emitting a Drogba-esque sense.
He collected and converted Palmer’s pass with a deft dink to put the scoreline beyond PSG’s reach, a goal that Drogba in his pomp would have been proud of. It was audacious, just as the Ivorian was throughout much of his time in west London.
As a result of his efforts in the final, The London Standard awarded him with an 8/10 match rating, praising his tenacity and intelligent running to outfox the opposing backline.
Minutes played
36′
60′
67′
Goals
0
2
1
Assists
0
0
0
Touches
23
25
35
Shots (on target)
2 (1)
3 (2)
1 (1)
Accurate passes
11/13 (85%)
7/12 (58%)
12/18 (67%)
Key passes
2
0
1
Dribbles
2/2
0/1
1/5
Tackles + interceptions
0
1
2
Duels won
3/6
3/9
3/12
Clinical, energetic and willing to get stuck in, Pedro has already showcased his blend of artful quality, his sharp technicality, and indeed a focus on the defensive side of the game that is reminiscent of Drogba in his Chelsea prime.
Luiz Felipe Scolari once called the Ivorian striker “one of the best in the world” during his time at Chelsea, owing to his big-game ability, work rate and robust passing game.
Pedro’s got a long way to go before he establishes a reputation of similar proportions as a Blue, but he’s off to a flyer, embodying many of those aforementioned virtues across the past week or so.
Chelsea have earned themselves a well-deserved rest ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. Maresca, indeed, has bagged two pieces of silverware and a spot in next year’s Champions League proper.
We’ve had a taste of Pedro’s quality in the final third, and though big-money strikers haven’t always made it work in Blue, this combative and complete Brazilian might just prove to be a reincarnation of Drogba.
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