Cole Palmer not only impressed with his performance on the pitch during Chelsea`s UEFA Conference League final victory but also captured significant attention with his memorable actions and comments after the match.
Chelsea made history by becoming the first team to win all three major UEFA club competitions – the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. They achieved this with a dominant 4-1 win against Real Betis in the final held in Poland, overcoming a 1-0 deficit from halftime. Palmer played a crucial role in the comeback, providing two key assists in the second half and rightfully earning the Player of the Match award.
During the post-match interviews on the field, Palmer displayed a moment that quickly went viral. Needing both hands free to hold a microphone, he casually placed his Player of the Match trophy inside his shorts. When asked about this unconventional move by CBS Sports` Anita Jones, his response was simple and direct: “I got no pockets, so I put it there.”
Palmer continued to entertain during the post-match press conference. He lightened the mood by playfully asking the officials in the room about the Player of the Tournament award. Upon learning the decision rests with the UEFA Technical Observer Panel, he quickly quipped, “Okay, can someone tell him that Tosin wants it?” while pointing towards his teammate Tosin Adarabioyo, drawing laughter from those present.
Beyond the viral moments, the match was a significant outing for the 23-year-old. He was instrumental in Chelsea`s second-half resurgence. Palmer attributed the team`s improved performance after the break to specific, albeit brief, instructions from manager Enzo Maresca at halftime. He explained that Maresca emphasized winning more second balls and approaching the half with the intensity required for a final. Palmer personally focused on finding more dangerous spaces and being more direct, stating that after receiving the ball for his first assist, his thought was, “I`m not going back again.”
While this was his first major final for Chelsea, Palmer is developing a strong reputation for delivering under pressure in big games. He previously scored in the Community Shield and UEFA Super Cup for Manchester City and netted England`s only goal in the U21 Euros final against Spain last year. Embracing these high-stakes occasions, Palmer commented, “I love finals. All the finals I`ve played in, I feel like I`ve contributed, so I just like the occasion.” This attitude solidifies his status as one of the game`s top rising talents.
Palmer also recognized the importance of this trophy for the current Chelsea squad, which holds the record for the youngest team in Premier League history by average age this season. He sees the Conference League triumph as a crucial first major accomplishment for this young side. Looking ahead, he views this competition as a positive stepping stone for a team that will compete in the Champions League next season following their strong league finish. Palmer expressed confidence in the team`s direction, highlighting their “great squad,” “great manager,” and the potential they possess, having shown the ability to win tough matches and mount comebacks in finals.
When asked about his celebration plans after the historic win, Palmer offered a coy reply, saying simply, “No comment” with a smirk.
