Five biggest Chelsea winners from Club World Cup tournament as Cole Palmer and his new teammate shine

Chelsea’s experience at the Club World Cup this summer went pretty perfectly.

The Blues got better and better as the Club World Cup tournament went on, culminating in them thrashing Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the final to lift the trophy.

Chelsea’s players have been told to stay grounded by the ownership after their success, but supporters have every right to be excited about the direction this young group is moving in.

We’ve picked out the five biggest Chelsea winners from the entire Club World Cup tournament…

Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images

Cole Palmer

Cole Palmer, 23, reminded everyone during the Club World Cup that he’s got the individual ability to be one of the world’s elite stars.

Palmer won the Golden Ball award, handed out to the tournament’s best player, for some brilliant performances in the summer competition. Of course, the highlight moment came in the final, scoring two goals and assisting another.

The English playmaker scored three goals and provided two assists during a successful Club World Cup for himself.

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It’s true that Palmer’s form dipped towards the latter stages of the 2024/25 campaign, so to enjoy such a positive summer should completely lift his mood and confidence.

A gargantuan season for Chelsea has finally finished, and Palmer can reflect with immense pride, especially after the past month at the Club World Cup.

Joao Pedro

After Palmer, Joao Pedro is another Chelsea player who’s had an unforgettable Club World Cup campaign.

The 23-year-old forward was still on Brighton’s books when the tournament kicked off in mid-June. However, he joined the Blues a couple of weeks ago, before starring in the knockout rounds for his new club.

It very much feels like Pedro and Palmer could be perfect teammates, with the duo already linking up at the Club World Cup. In particular, Pedro scored a magical chipped goal in the final against PSG after a threaded through ball from Palmer. It’s not surprising to hear Pedro and Palmer have already worked closely in training.

The quick-fire start to Pedro’s Chelsea career, scoring three goals in three appearances, means the excitement around his arrival has gone into overdrive.

He’s definitely a major winner from this summer because his stock has gone through the roof in such a short space of time.

Pedro Neto

The momentum that Pedro Neto, 25, has picked up at the Club World Cup should serve him very well going into next season.

Regardless of whether he’s been playing on the left or right, the rapid winger has been a breath of fresh air for the Blues at this tournament. If he can replicate this form on a consistent basis, he will be in the argument for one of Europe’s top wide players.

Appearnaces Goals Assists 6 3 0 Chelsea’s Pedro Neto at the 2025 Club World Cup

It’s been a very encouraging debut campaign for Neto in Chelsea colours, settling very quickly after arriving from Wolverhampton Wanderers. The exciting thing is we still think he’s got more gears, too.

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Moises Caicedo

Moises Caicedo, 23, has been Chelsea’s best player across the 2024/25 season, and he underlined that with his performances at the Club World Cup.

The way that the all-action defensive midfielder played against PSG should reinforce to the football world that he’s now one of the world’s very best in his position.

After the Club World Cup final, Darren Bent said Caicedo has “everything” as a complete midfielder. Chelsea fans certainly won’t disagree with him because they’ve seen his top-class performances week in and week out.

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Enzo Maresca

Finally, Blues head coach Enzo Maresca might be the biggest winner of all from within the Chelsea camp. Not long after guiding his side to the Conference League, he finished his debut season at Stamford Bridge by picking up his second trophy with them.

Maresca certainly had some big doubters when he joined Chelsea a year ago, but even they must be admitting he’s feeling like a great fit in West London.

Most importantly, the Blues now play with a clear identity. It’s quite obvious that this group of players are well coached and moving in the right direction, too.

Back in March, Levi Colwill insisted Chelsea’s players love life under Maresca, something which is becoming more and more apparent over time.

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