Chelsea player ratings: Cole Palmer talks himself into Ballon d'Or contention with scintillating Club World Cup display

The Sun

a day ago

COLE PALMER sent a chill down the spine of Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain as he put their hopes of being named world champions on ice.
The Chelsea star was a cold front that swept into the MetLife stadium on a hot summer's day in New Jersey, USA, for the Club World Cup.
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There was a lot of talk before the game about how many red-hot PSG might put past their London rivals as they were watched by US President Donald Trump and Fifa chief Gianni Infantino.
But two goals and an assist before half-time against Luis Enrique 's PSG super team ensured Blue was the colour as Enzo Maresca 's side were crowned world champions.
Palmer's first and second goals came from almost the exact same area of the pitch after he picked it up on the right side of the penalty area before striking the ball into the bottom left.
Yet for all of Palmer's excellence, he was simply the main cog in a team you now have to back to challenge for the Premier League title next season. Here's how SunSport's Tony Robertson rated the Blues in the final.
Robert Sanchez - 8
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Great save down to his left to deny Desire Doue in the 19th minute. Moments later it was his pass which found Gusto for the opening goal.
And was sharp after the break with a wonderful reflex save to preserve the Blues clean sheet before adding another save stretching down to his right.
He's come in for his share of criticism since joining Chelsea, but credit where credit is due, his performance was stellar.
Malo Gusto - 7
Provided the width down the right to allow Palmer the freedom to roam and provided the assist when he raced past Nuno Mendes.
Also had the better of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in their battle but did pick up a yellow just before half-time for his enthusiasm in one tackle.
Trevoh Chalobah - 6
Made a tackle which got the crowd roaring right before the first cooling break but was seldom involved in much real defensive work aside from nodding long passes back into Sanchez's grateful arms.
Levi Colwill - 6
They say when a defender has a quiet game that's usually a good thing and was exactly the case for Colwill today.
A pretty nonchalant performance in many respects, but one that deserves its share of praise.
Marc Cucurella - 6
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Made a superb interception in the 16th minute in the penalty area which would have been a certain goal for PSG otherwise. Conducted the half-time interview and was visibly knackered from running around.
Bizarrely got picked up by Joao Neves while clutching his ankle for some clever time wasting in the closing stages. Neves was later sent off for pulling the Spaniard's hair, so Cucurella clearly seemed to have him rattled.
Reece James - 6
Maresca opted for James in midfield to partner Caicedo and worked a treat with the Englishman more involved on the ball than his team-mate.
Saying that, his game was composed if not remarkable. Went down in the 70th minute
Moises Caicedo - 6
Put out a good number of fires in midfield and showed some classy shoulder faints to get away from opponents. Picked up a harsh yellow for a push in the first half.
Enzo Fernandez - 4
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Played as the No10 but had a quiet game. Did more rolling around on the floor complaining about injury than he had touches of the ball.
Hooked in the 60th minute for Andrey Santos through injury.
Cole Palmer - 9
Should have scored inside eight minutes after whipping a shot around the goal post from a Pedro lay off but made up for it by slotting home the opener in minute 21 after combining with Gusto and opening up the goal on his left.
His second was almost a carbon copy of the first, jinking inside and beating two players before angling a shot into the bottom left corner. Exquisite pass to assist Pedro for the third of the game.
The Manchester lad is certainly making a case to be included in the conversation amongst the best players in the world. Might he even be a late outsider for the Ballon d'Or (and would have been a perfect 10 out of 10 were it not for that early miss).
Pedro Neto - 6
First real act of note was to pick up a yellow card in the 35th minute, oddly after he had been fouled. Had a great chance to produce something in behind the PSG defence after a classy volley forward by Pedro, but his cross was nothing short of shocking.
Put in the hard yards but was found wanting in terms of quality.
Joao Pedro - 8
Expertly laid off a pass to Palmer early on which somehow did not end up in an assist. Led the line well by stretching the play and certainly justified his selection ahead of Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson.
Superb chip to score Chelsea's third with a curved run into the penalty area. Arguably could have had a penalty after the break following a shirt pull inside the area, but the ref ultimately waved play on. Subbed for Delap.
Andrey Santos (on for Fernandez, 60 mins) - 5
Had a quiet game off the bench.
Liam Delap (on for Pedro, 67 mins) - 6
Seconds after coming in he tried to chip Gianluigi Donnarumma from miles outside of the box, but the cheeky effort was saved by the Italian - not that he was too happy with the audacity to even attempt it based on the verbals he gave the English attacker at the resulting corner.
Relentless pressing almost saw him sneak in to grab a goal only for him to be denied by Donnarumma again.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (on for James, 77 mins) - N/A
Going through the motions after coming on so didn't have the chance to impact the game.
Christopher Nkunku (on for Neto, 78 mins) - N/A
Same for Nkunku.