Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has thrown his full support behind Cole Palmer, tipping the young star to make a major impact at the expanded FIFA Club World Cup and establish himself among the world’s elite talents.
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder played a pivotal role in Chelsea’s recent UEFA Conference League triumph, delivering a standout second-half performance in the final against Real Betis that featured two crucial assists in a 4-1 win. Now, as the Blues prepare for their Club World Cup campaign in the United States, Palmer is set to lead the charge for more silverware this summer.
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s opening match against MLS side LAFC, Maresca—who previously coached Palmer at Manchester City’s academy—expressed high expectations for the England international. He placed Palmer in elite company, comparing his abilities to those of *Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal, **Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé, and *PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé, all of whom have made significant global impacts in recent seasons.
“I’ve said it more than once: Cole Palmer is up there with the best—he can produce magic at any moment, create something out of nothing,” Maresca said. “He wasn’t with me on the USA tour last summer, so this will be a great opportunity for him to experience the atmosphere there and introduce himself to fans across North America.”
Palmer has earned praise from fans and former players alike, with ex-Chelsea midfielder Geremi even suggesting the young playmaker could be the one to “carry” Chelsea to Club World Cup glory. With growing confidence and a manager who believes in his potential, Palmer now has the global stage set to showcase why he’s considered one of the brightest young stars in football.
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