Among the £1.7 billion in talent brought in, despite significant player sales balancing the books, they have uncovered numerous jewels.
None, however, have been more crucial than Cole Palmer, a £37.5 million signing from Manchester City.
Cole Palmer stepped up after a disappointing first half in Wednesday’s Conference League final against Real Betis, in which 33-year-old midfield playmaker Isco shined.
He outperformed even the Spain international, ten years his senior, sparking a comeback and a 4-1 victory.
“Cole Palmer is an absolute genius,” former Chelsea winger Joe Cole told TNT Sports. “We do not produce these players. They do not just appear out of nowhere.
“He took the game by the scruff of the neck, and there are not many players in world football that can do what he does.”
Following Abde Ezzalzouli’s early goal, the second half became the Cole Palmer show.
He danced around Ezzalzouli before his inswinging cross was met by Enzo Fernandez, who equalized before twirling Jesus Rodriguez and crossing for Nicolas Jackson to score the second goal.
“Cole Palmer has delivered, and that’s the difference,” former Blues goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer told BBC Radio 5 Live. “Cole Palmer is a young athlete who demonstrates amazing maturity. “He led this team and dominated the second half.”
West Ham forward Michail Antonio told TNT Sports: “The game was lost until Cole Palmer chose to show up. He got on the ball and continued to beg for and demand it.
“Two amazing balls and two unbelievable goals. “What a player!”
Every setback sets the stage for a stronger comeback.
Cole Palmer had a successful first season at Stamford Bridge, scoring 22 Premier League goals, but his second season has proven more difficult.
He has only scored once since 14 January, a 90th-minute penalty in a 3-1 victory over Liverpool at the beginning of May.
However, he reminded everyone of his sheer ability versus Real Betis. And head coach Enzo Maresca believes his 18-game goal drought will benefit him in the long run.
“The bad moment, the bad run he had during this season, is going to make him a better player, no doubt,” he remarked.
“Everyone knows he’s a top player. We need to help him be at the right place at the right time.
“He is an excellent player. He can win a game in the last third with a goal or an assist.”
Inspired by Cole Palmer, Jackson Scores the Goal That Sealed the Deal
Nobody needed this moment more than Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson.
Before the game, even Maresca stated that Jackson owed a “debt” to his teammates after being sent off in a 2-0 loss to Newcastle on May 11, a red card that may have cost Chelsea Champions League qualification.
After the match, Maresca stated, “This is the Nico that the team requires.”
He is among many who have struggled to persuade the Stamford Bridge faithful, and the club is looking to acquire a striker, with Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap among their objectives.
However, in that aspect, the Senegalese international is similar to the head coach and owners, all of whom have banked on winning a trophy.
For Maresca, this was his opportunity to demonstrate that the club could develop a winning mindset following a season in which he was chastised for his playing style and a string of dismal defeats throughout the winter.
The US consortium’s ownership was tarnished by 1,201 days without silverware, but when captain Reece James raised the Conference League trophy, his first as captain, they gained significant breathing room.
Boehly was the first to join the celebration, followed by important Clearlake Capital duo Behdad Eghbali and Jose Feliciano, who did so unwillingly.
Boehly and Clearlake haven’t always agreed this season, but this is a moment of relative stability after the club elected to continue with Maresca regardless of the outcome of their final two matches.
Chelsea defeated Nottingham Forest to qualify for the Champions League, and they won against Betis to add silverware.
However, Chelsea did not sell out their allocation in Poland for the final of European club football’s third-tier competition, and fans will swiftly move on if it is not followed by advancement and additional success the following season.
Maresca told TNT after the victory, “I feel good, but so do the fans; they deserve it. They’ve waited a few years for it, so they deserve it.
“The club has invested a lot of money over the last two or three years, and they are also waiting for results. Hopefully, this will be a beginning point. Starting tonight, starting this season, we’ll be constructing something significant.”
Substitute Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall stated, “There’s a lot more to come from me.” “Getting a taste of silverware increases your hunger.”
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