‘We’ve never seen a team do this to PSG’ – how Chelsea won Club World Cup

Paris Saint-Germain have dominated nearly every team they’ve faced in recent months, brushing past Bayern Munich and Real Madrid on their way to another final. But in New Jersey, it was Chelsea who redefined the script.

Enzo Maresca’s side dealt PSG a rare and comprehensive 3-0 defeat to claim the Club World Cup, with Cole Palmer scoring twice and assisting another for Joao Pedro. The Blues’ intensity overwhelmed the French champions early, and left former players, pundits, and fans stunned.

“I can’t believe what I’m seeing,” said commentator Andros Townsend on DAZN, echoing the disbelief felt across the ground. “Full credit to Chelsea for their willingness to track the ball in this New York heat.”

Ex-Wales international Gareth Bale added: “PSG have been PSG’ed.”

Palmer, who has revived his form from the right flank after a tough spell through the middle, proved central once again. On Sunday, he led the charge with an early double and helped stretch PSG’s defence, particularly through tandem play with Joao Pedro.

Chelsea’s plan, according to Maresca, was based on early aggression and high pressure. “The idea was go man-to-man because if you leave spaces to PSG they will kill you, so we tried to be very aggressive and suffocate them early on and that intensity was crucial in the first 10 minutes,” the head coach explained.

The tactical plan relied heavily on targeting PSG’s left-back Nuno Mendes, an approach that proved decisive, with Pedro frequently pulling into wide spaces to create an overload.

“We had a lot of success exploring the left side of their defence,” Maresca acknowledged post-match. “Things worked perfectly for us due to the effort the players put.”

Townsend described it bluntly as a “tactical masterclass”. John Mikel Obi, watching as a pundit, added: “They’ve stretched this PSG defence — we’ve never seen a team do this to them.”

For Chelsea, the significance of the title extends beyond pride. With over £80m in prize money and the right to wear the world champions patch until 2029, the victory is both symbolic and financial.

“The fans will have bragging rights for the next four years,” said Townsend. “Nobody will be able to say anything to Chelsea fans because they are world champions.”

Maresca, formerly of Man City’s Champions League-winning staff, was unequivocal about how the victory measured up: “I feel that this competition will be as important as or even more important than the Champions League.”

“Allowing Chelsea fans to wear that world champion patch on their shirts is a source of pride for us,” he said.

Palmer echoed the emotions in the dressing room: “It’s a great feeling. Even better because everyone doubted us before the game. To put a fight on like we did, it’s good.”

While critics have questioned Chelsea’s spending under Todd Boehly – roughly £1.5bn and counting – the results are beginning to form a clearer picture. With successes in both the UEFA Conference League and now the Club World Cup, Maresca’s young side is starting to show signs of a team ready to compete at the highest level.

“Young teams learn,” said Bale. “They’ve shown a lot of character. Confidence will be booming.”

With no player over 27 involved in Sunday’s final, the pieces are in place, including rising names like Levi Colwill and Malo Gusto, and upcoming arrivals such as Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens and Brazilian teenager Estevao Willian.

Chelsea’s owner Todd Boehly embraced Maresca on the podium, a show of unity and belief in a side that, for the first time since 2022 sanctions on the club under former owner Roman Abramovich, appears settled around a steady project.

BBC Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella reported from New Jersey: “This is a new Chelsea – but one capable of winning again – and those involved want recognition for their achievements.

WRITTEN BY

George Howson

George Howson is a Futbol Chronicle contributor and accredited journalist with over 20 years of experience following international football. A member of the AIPS International Sports Press Association, George has covered matches at stadiums around the world, bringing deep knowledge and first-hand insight to every match report and analysis he writes.

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