Cole Palmer`s outstanding performance on the pitch during Wednesday`s UEFA Conference League final was certainly noteworthy, but the Chelsea star continued to capture attention with his post-match interviews following the team`s victory.
Chelsea staged a comeback from a 1-0 halftime deficit against Real Betis in the final held at Wroclaw Stadium in Poland, ultimately winning the match 4-1. Cole Palmer played a crucial role in the second half, providing two assists and being named Player of the Match.
When it was time for pitchside interviews, Palmer found a memorable way to handle his individual accolade. To keep a hand free for the microphone, he humorously placed the Player of the Match award inside his shorts instead of holding it. When asked about this by CBS Sports` Anita Jones, he offered a simple, matter-of-fact explanation:
“I got no pockets, so I put it there,” Palmer said.
Palmer maintained the lighthearted mood during the post-match press conference, even posing a question to the officials present.
“Can I ask a question? Who gives the player of the tournament award for the competition?” he inquired. After learning the decision rests with the UEFA Technical Observer Panel, he quickly revealed the important reason behind his query:
“Okay, can someone tell him that Tosin wants it?” Palmer quipped, pointing to his laughing teammate Tosin Adarabioyo, adding, “Thank you.”
These amusing moments capped off a significant match for the 23-year-old. Palmer played a major part in Chelsea`s second-half turnaround, attributing the team`s improved performance after the break to brief, precise instructions from manager Enzo Maresca at halftime.
Palmer recalled Maresca`s halftime talk was concise:
“He didn`t really say much, to be fair. He just said we`re losing too many second balls,” Palmer said. “We need to start playing like we`re in a final and I think we woke up and we showed up second half … In the second half, I just tried to find spaces where I could be more dangerous and I felt we were playing too safe at times so when I got a ball for the first assist, I thought, `I`m not going back again.`”
Although this was his first major final with Chelsea, the 23-year-old Palmer is building a reputation for excelling on big stages. He has previously scored in the Community Shield and the UEFA Super Cup for Manchester City and netted England`s lone goal in last year`s Euros final. He continues to live up to his billing as one of football`s top rising stars.
Palmer commented on his performance in finals:
“I love finals,” Palmer said. “All the finals I`ve played in, I feel like I`ve contributed, so I just like the occasion.”
Palmer also acknowledged the significance of this win for the current Chelsea squad, which has featured some of the youngest lineups in Premier League history this season. He described the Conference League title as a crucial initial accomplishment for the Blues, especially as they look forward to competing in the Champions League next season thanks to their fourth-place Premier League finish.
He elaborated on the importance of the competition:
“This competition`s a good step for us,” Palmer said. “We`re playing in this because last season, we deserved to play in this. Like the manager said, now we`re in the Champions League… I think we`ve got a lot of potential. We`ve got a great squad, great manager and obviously we`re a great team, but we`re showing, like on Sunday, we can win at tough places, we can come from behind in finals. I think we`re going in the right direction.”
As for how he planned to celebrate?
He simply replied with a smirk, “No comment.”
Dominic Ashworth