Chelsea's emphatic 3-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final has instilled a newfound belief within the squad that they can challenge for the Premier League title. Cole Palmer's outstanding performance, featuring two goals and an assist, was central to the win and highlighted his pivotal role in the team's success.

Palmer believes that manager Enzo Maresca is cultivating a special environment at Chelsea. After a significant investment in players, exceeding £1 billion since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took ownership three years ago, the team is beginning to demonstrate its potential. In Maresca’s first season, Chelsea secured a Champions League spot, won the Conference League, and dominated PSG in the Club World Cup final.

The match against PSG at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey saw Chelsea, considered underdogs, execute Maresca's game plan flawlessly. Palmer lauded Maresca for building something special and important at Chelsea. He noted that despite external chatter about the team throughout the season, he feels they are progressing in the right direction. Maresca praised his young squad for their execution, stating they won the game in the first 10 minutes by setting the tempo and pressing effectively. He also commended Palmer's performance in a right-sided role, where he found space to attack.

Chelsea's focus now shifts to the upcoming Premier League season, which starts with a home game against Crystal Palace on August 17. The team will have a three-week break before resuming training. Maresca expressed his excitement for the future but emphasized the importance of the rest period.

The victory was not without its off-field talking points, as former President Donald Trump was present at the trophy ceremony and was met with jeers from the crowd. Trump, alongside Boehly and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, remained on the pitch as Chelsea lifted the trophy.