1.68 goal contributions per 90 minutes
Cole Palmer played a pivotal role in Chelsea’s triumph as they clinched the Club World Cup trophy with a decisive 3-0 victory over PSG in New Jersey. The Champions League holders entered the match as favorites against the Europa Conference League champions, but Chelsea showcased their dominance in the first half, taking a commanding three-goal lead. Palmer shone brightly during the final, netting two fantastic goals and providing a clever assist for João Pedro, solidifying his status as one of the world’s top creative talents.
The England international remained calm under the intense heat of the U.S. as he effortlessly slotted two nearly identical left-footed finishes into the bottom corner. Though he had scored just two goals in his past 29 matches, and his form had waned during the latter part of the season, his talent is irrefutable. The 23-year-old displayed his typical relaxed demeanor while accepting his Player of the Tournament award from former President Donald Trump, later appearing astonished by the president’s presence on stage during the trophy celebration. Despite a less-than-stellar season, Palmer still managed 32 goal contributions over 52 appearances and secured two trophies, with his final performances throughout his career remaining exceptional.
Cole Palmer’s Outstanding Final Record
“I thrive in finals, and it happened again,” Palmer remarked after the match. “It’s always a fantastic feeling, especially since many people doubted us before the game.” While Palmer may downplay his excitement, his track record in major finals speaks volumes. Contributing goals or assists in any match is significant, but performing under pressure in high-stakes situations is a hallmark of a world-class athlete. The Club World Cup victory against PSG marked the sixth final of Palmer’s professional journey, where he has amassed an impressive eight goal contributions.
As shown in the graphic below, Palmer has recorded five goals and three assists across six finals, averaging an impressive 1.68 goal contributions per 90 minutes. Furthermore, he has been directly involved in six goals in his last three finals, earning the Man of the Match award during Chelsea’s victories in the Europa Conference League against Betis and the Club World Cup. He also scored in the Euro 2024 final for England. The only final where Palmer did not contribute to a goal was Chelsea’s loss to Liverpool in the 2024 League Cup. His first two finals as a professional took place at Manchester City, where he scored in the Community Shield against Arsenal and netted the winning goal in the Super Cup against Sevilla before transferring to Chelsea.
