'If Lionel Messi performed like this' - Joe Cole in awe of 'genius' Cole Palmer after Blues maestro dominates UEFA Conference League final
Updated 28/05/2025 at 23:31 GMT+1
TNT Sports pundit Joe Cole was exuberant in his praise of Chelsea's Cole Palmer, after the England and Blues marvel directed a stunning four-goal comeback in their 4-1 win over Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final. Cole compared the 23-year-old to footballing legend Lionel Messi, saying: "If Lionel Messi performed something like this on a stage like this, the world stops."
Highlights: Palmer inspires turnaround as Chelsea create European history
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Cole Palmer was back to his best as Chelsea secured their first piece of silverware under Enzo Maresca, and TNT Sports' Joe Cole did not hesitate to put the Blues maestro's performance on par with football legend Lionel Messi.
Chelsea beat Real Betis 4-1 in the UEFA Conference League final, with a four-goal comeback spearheaded by Palmer's midfield magic.
"It's a privilege to watch this kid play football," effused Cole. "I'm not just saying Chelsea fans, I'm saying England fans. If Lionel Messi performed something like this on a stage like this, the world stops.
"We've got a player with quality that can do things like that, and there should be teams built around him. Chelsea and England in my opinion. He's an absolute genius."
After a first half ran by the creative pairing of Isco and Abde Ezzalzouli, Palmer delivered two beautiful assists back-to-back as Enzo Fernandez and Nicolas Jackson scored in the space of five minutes to put The Blues ahead.
"That man there, Cole Palmer, absolute genius," Cole added. "We don't produce these players, they don't fall off trees. He took the game by the scruff of the neck tonight.
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"There aren't many players in world football who can do what he does. It's a privilege to have him at our club. A wonderful player, wonderful club, and it's gonna start the party now."
Betis were the better side in the first half following Ezzalzouli's ninth-minute opener against a flat and stagnant Chelsea side.
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‘If Messi performs like this the world stops’ – Cole in awe of ‘genius’ Palmer
Video credit: TNT Sports
Kick-starting the restart, Maresca introduced Reece James in place of Malo Gusto, who had a disappointing first period.
"They were outstanding, they more than played their part in this final," Cole said about Betis.
"But they were outgunned. Chelsea is a huge club. For these young players and this team to win a trophy, it's gonna take them to the next level.
"But it's not about that tonight, it's about a group of young footballers, young coaches coming together and achieving something.
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"Don't be looking down your nose at this. If you're hearing the stadium, hearing this atmosphere, seeing the faces of the people involved, this is what you play football for - for nights like these and they thoroughly deserve it."
Speaking after the victory with his trademark approach to interviews, Palmer simply said "It's a great feeling."
Summing up their second-half revival, he said: "I just felt like I was trying to find the space as the game got going."
It wraps up a European treble for Chelsea as they became the only side in history to win the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and now the Conference League.
"To be the only team in history, it's a great feeling," Palmer added candidly.
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