Cole Palmer responded to those who have criticized Chelsea by leading them to victory in the Club World Cup in New York.
The English player scored two impressive goals and assisted another for Joao Pedro as Chelsea defeated Paris St Germain 3-0 at the MetLife Stadium.
This win not only earned the team over £90 million but also highlighted the tactical skills of coach Enzo Maresca.
Palmer praised the team's progress under the Italian manager, saying to DAZN: "He's creating something special, something significant with a young squad.
People have been talking negatively about us all season, but I believe we are heading in the right direction."
Reflecting on the match, Palmer remarked: "It's a fantastic feeling, especially because everyone doubted us before the game. We were aware of that and it feels great to go out there and compete like we did against a strong team."
"The coach had a solid game plan. He identified where the opportunities would be and aimed to set me up for success, and I just had to deliver by scoring goals."
Palmer, who scored twice and assisted within 21 minutes in the first half, was also instrumental in Chelsea's victory over Real Betis in the Europa Conference League final in May.
Maresca praised Palmer's ability to shine in significant matches, stating: "These are the games where we expect Cole to step up – in crucial matches and crucial moments – and once again he demonstrated his quality."
While the tournament has faced criticism, Maresca emphasized the prestige it brings to the club.
In addition to the substantial prize money, Chelsea will now have the honor of wearing a badge on their jerseys confirming their world champions status for the next four years.
Maresca expressed: "I believe it will be as prestigious as the Champions League, and we cherish it as much as winning the Champions League.
"It was a remarkable effort from the team and all the players. I am thrilled, especially for them as they deserve this moment."
PSG's disappointment was compounded when Joao Neves received a red card for pulling Marc Cucurella's hair five minutes before the end of the match.
Tempers flared as scuffles erupted after the final whistle, with PSG manager Luis Enrique getting involved in an incident that resulted in Pedro falling to the ground.
Enrique explained: "I saw Maresca pushing others away, and we had to separate all the players.
"We must all avoid such situations. I stepped in to separate the players to prevent the situation from escalating."