Chelsea Crowned World Champions

0:00Alan Shearer:Coming up on today's show, Chelsea are crowned world champions in New York. Cole Palmer inspires the Blues to a brilliant victory against Champions League winners PSG.

0:19Alan Shearer:Will we see Chelsea be a force to be reckoned with next season?

0:30Welcome champions.

0:31Alan Shearer:Stay tuned for all the energy.

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2:06Alan Shearer:Hello and welcome to The Rest is Football with Alex Aljo, Alan Shearer and me, Gary Lineker. No Micah because he's supposed to be here today, but he's stuck on a train. Apparently delays and can't get off the train. I mean I mean what's happened to him I wonder I wonder how long it took him to think of that excuse well Alex and myself we were we are and still are in New York we went to the game last night we're recording this on Monday and it was a triumph for Chelsea it really was and obviously you know Alex you didn't have your blue scarf on but you might as well have done I guess I'm a professional Gary who saw that coming 3-0 at half time unbelievable and what a performance as well it wasn't like they were just lucky to win it right they were the better team that deserved to win it on the day but just unbelievable unbelievable tactical masterclass wasn't it for Maresca yeah Chelsea Chelsea did to PSG what happened in the in the previous round you know I just think what PSG did to Madrid Chelsea did exactly the same to them.

3:21They absolutely battered them. I thought they were magnificent.

3:24Alan Shearer:I did a bit of punditry, Al. Did I hear you say you did some punditry? A little bit. With Alex. In Spanish, eh? That was a separate thing. In Spanish first, though. Yeah, I did the... Because DAZN obviously has to do it for all the languages because they've got the rights to the world, which must be so difficult, the organisational aspect of it, to organise all different presenters in different languages. because obviously you've got to do it for people that speak Spanish or French or Italian and obviously English, which is who Alex is working for. But yeah, so suddenly I went down. I thought I was just going to do an interview with Alex.

4:02Alan Shearer:And they said, oh, can you do the Spanish one as well? I went, all right then. So I did. Yeah, I just did a five minutes before the game. Before the game. Yeah. So it was either me or Donald Trump. Like you've never left Barcelona. we'd rather have you Gary any day yeah just a bit of pre-match he's still the show I was sat watching the game and all the entertainment beforehand and half time and what have you I mean the entertainment was amazing as well wasn't it before the game we were trying to get up in a lift before the game and they had there were two or three lifts but there was hundreds and hundreds of people trying to get in them I don't know finished about half an hour before kick off and then to go up and get in our seats in one of the suites that DAZN had.

4:49Alan Shearer:And we almost missed the kickoff because of the amount of time that we had to wait to get into these lifts. There was no other way of getting up there. But I missed the pre-show because that was Robbie Williams, wasn't it? But we did see the halftime show. I must say, I don't know about halftime shows. I always think that's for us. You couldn't see it. It was so far away. It was so far away. And also, I mean, 23 minutes for halftime. I don't know. Do we really want to Americanize our sports? I mean, they obviously do that because their sports are not entertaining enough. So hopefully that will not catch on because it's too much.

5:30Alan Shearer:But I'm old school. But they did put on a good show. They did put on a good show, as did Chelsea, as you quite rightly said. I mean, tactically, I mean, they just, I love the way that Colwell went in on Dembele. Every time Dembele went deep, Colt, they just went with them. Rhys James was pushed into midfield. They basically outnumbered them in midfield and made them look a little bit lightweight in there. And they were actually leaving quite big gaps at the back sometimes, Chelsea. But PSG, they obviously had their game plan. And if they'd have had a bit of nous and got Dembele to spin and played a few long balls, they'd have got in.

6:06Alan Shearer:But Maresca won the battle with Luis Enrico. It's been so brilliant all season, tactically. Yeah, Luis Enrico, who's never lost a final as a manager as well. So I think they set the tone, didn't they, in the first 10 minutes? They just went at them. Carlo Christo had the composure to turn. Kul Palmer! He takes accuracy over power! I don't think anyone expected them to do that. But the day before in the press conference when Mareska was asked, a journalist said to him, you're not going to have very much the ball, are you? He was like, what? Sorry? and he was really angry about that. So obviously he knew what he wanted to do.

6:44It could have backfired, it could have backfired, but it didn't. And I think that interception from Kukurea at 0-0 was key, wasn't it? When Douay passed it and he, well, maybe it was a gamble or maybe he just read it really, really well. But that was a key moment because had Paris Saint-Germain gone 1-0 up in that moment, could have been a very different game. Do you think there's a bit of, I don't know, understandably so arrogance from PSG not to change anything not to not to go in and mark Cole Palmer and or man mark him or what because it looked to me as if he had he just had the freedom in New York I mean he's got that much ability you cannot give him time or space unless you go and get tight on him and he'll dominate and that's what he did didn't he?

7:29Alan Shearer:Yeah totally agree Alan I think there was a case I think they've probably been so good so successful that we know as sportsmen, you never assume you're going to just walk all over someone. But it was almost as though, I think in many ways, Chelsea played a little bit light. You remember Aston Villa in the second half when they came back at PSG and nearly turned it around and they pushed them, you know, and they kept them high and they pressed in midfield way more. And so there is always an answer to someone's tactics. But whether there was an arrogance, only they will know. Chelsea took the game by the scruff of that.

8:04Alan Shearer:You're quite right to bring up that point about Kukare's clearance. That was, I mean, every one of us in, I presume watching at home as well, was going, why didn't he hit it? Why didn't he shoot? But Kukare read that he didn't shoot when everyone else thought he would. I mean, it was a brilliant bit of play. But yes, Cole Palmer, I mean, giving him the space that he had. And I mean, he was so good. I mean, what a player. Cole Palmer exploiting that space again. Oh, what a trick from Palmer!

8:44Alan Shearer:Such a beautifully gifted football We said it before It makes the game look easier He's just so chilled isn't he as well The way he goes about things And I think maybe that worked in Chelsea's favour as well The fact that he was never going to be overwhelmed By the occasion of a club World Cup final Against what the best team in the world everyone was saying. He was just, you know, I can do this. And scored two brilliant goals and it just, yeah, like it's normal. It's outstanding. To do it on that stage, to do it against those players who have been so magnificent. PSG basically dominated Europe for the year and we've spoken so much about their midfield and everything else and how brilliant some of their players have been and rightly so.

9:30but he was the pick of the bunch by an absolute mile last night, was Cole Palmer. I thought he was absolutely outstanding, wasn't he? I think it really suits him as well, playing on the right, which is where he played under Pochettino. He looks really good there, doesn't he? I think that's definitely his best position.

9:46Alan Shearer:The way he was getting so much space, but the way he was ghosting in and the goal where he did the dummy, pretending he was going to do the overlapping pass and then just cut inside. I mean, I think everyone in the stadium bought that one. every one of us and and and then he just he curled it and I mean he's finishing as well he just passed the ball into the into the back of the net but he's not doing it from 12 yards he's doing it from like the edge of the box and and he was he was very close with one earlier on wasn't he in the first few minutes that just caught the tight kind of side netting but what a footballer and and and we've got to talk about the trophy list at the end

10:28Chelsea for FIFA club world cup champions

10:34Alan Shearer:Donald Trump giving him the G he didn't want to leave and Cole Palmer Cole Palmer being Cole he absolutely does not give a fuck does he Cole Palmer I love him for it and you can see him just going what's he doing why's he still here what's he doing President of the United States. I think Infantino tried to pull him out at one point. He did. He wanted to be involved. He wanted to be involved, but then he sort of got pushed back, didn't he? Disappeared. I can see why Cole had the hump a little bit, because Trump was right in front of him. So in all the images that you'll ever see of them jumping up and down, you can't see Cole Palmer because he's hidden.

11:18Alan Shearer:And I think Cole's thinking, he's a game. I mean, Fair enough. Trump is a master, whether you like him or not, whether you like him or not, he is a master of attracting attention to himself because it became all about him, didn't it? He stole the show. He stole the show. And he stole Paul Palmer's show. And it was definitely Palmer's show. No question about that. Three goals and two assists in this tournament. And we're going to do another episode shortly for the next couple of days about our overall thoughts on the tournament, the best player, etc. But I don't think anyone would argue with Cole Palmer winning that award.

11:59Yeah, and an assist for Ja Pedro, worth a mention as well on the score sheet. Again, Mureska went for him, left Liam de Lappe on the bench. But right decision, what a signing. Work needed in that regard. Palmer, Ja Pedro, it's three, and Chelsea are running away with the FIFA Club World Cup final. three goals in 42 minutes three goals now at this Club World Cup for Joe Pedro just the player Chelsea needed and he's hit the ground running he's not even fully fit came straight from the beach to the Club World Cup and he's been outstanding what a job he's done by the way Maresca oh I was going to come to that what an incredible job he's done incredible I mean the season they've had winning the trophy the Conference League, qualifying for the Champions League, winning this, I mean, and they've made some really, really good signings already.

12:58I don't suspect they're finished. So they'll just be delighted. They can get out on the beach now and have a holiday for a couple of weeks and then it all starts again for them.

13:07Alan Shearer:Absolutely. The only club that's won it all, every trophy. Yeah, I mean, whoever was going to win this one, but no one else has won it. Well, does the original Club World Cup count as this? You know, when they say winners of the Club World Cup... They won that as well, though. I know they won that as well. But my point is now, does the other sides that have won that, does it count the same as this or not? Do you know officially? So if someone says like, well, Liverpool have won the Club World Cup, but they haven't won this one. No, I think officially this is a new tournament, isn't it? With 32 teams in it.

13:42Alan Shearer:I think, well, it's definitely a new tournament. Yes, new tournament. New tournament. Chelsea, the only team to have won it. So, yeah. On that note, Alex, we'll take a little break. And when we come back, we'll talk about where Chelsea could go from here, perhaps, for next season and a bit more about Maresca. Low energy, unfocused, foggy, you might be dehydrated. Gatorade Zero powders have been scientifically designed to help improve hydration balance in the body. With a clinically proven electrolyte blend and no artificial colors or flavors. Great tasting hydration, no matter where you're going.

14:16Shop now online or at retailers nationwide. Gatorade hydrates better than water. Is it in you? Symptoms noted are signs of mild to moderate dehydration. Consult a healthcare professional if symptoms persist. Right now, when you buy more carpet at the Home Depot, you save more. During our Buy More, Save More event going on now, upgrade your carpeting with the top brands and save up to 15 % off installed carpet projects. Installation starting at just 49 cents per square foot. Select from a wide assortment of carpet to fit your room, lifestyle, and budget during the Buy More, Save More event at the Home Depot.

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15:41Alan Shearer:you were watching it every time players were going deep in they went Colwell I thought was exceptional played Dembele completely out in the game Rhys James I thought was really good coming into that more midfield role and it was a tactical plan do we think Chelsea could compete next season possibly for the title I mean obviously Liverpool have made some interesting transfers Arsenal have signed one or two players as well now and also Manchester City have made significant signings Will we possibly have a kind of more open four-team race, do you think, Chelsea? Can we include Chelsea? And obviously Tottenham.

16:19I think it would take a very, very brave person to say that Chelsea would not be involved in the title hunt next year because of what they've achieved this season, what they've just achieved, who they've signed, who they will sign. So I think you have to say that they'll be involved in the title race. Yeah, 100%. 100%. And I think the fact that everyone doubted them going into this tournament, the fact that everyone doubted them, no one thought they'd win the final. So they actually just played without pressure. Brilliant, free-flowing football, didn't they, yesterday? But no one expected it. But I think that's what we're going to see next season.

16:55What, they've won, I think, 14 of their last 16 games, something like that. Didn't concede a goal in the first half in any game in the tournament. So good. So good. lots to feel positive about. I think it was a masterclass from Maresca because we said before, you understandably so, that PSG went in, their football has worked all season and why not? Why should they change anything? But I think the little tweaks from Maresca, the pressing high and all those things, I just think it worked perfectly for them and it deserves huge credit for the job. Not only that is done in this competition, but for the whole season, because I don't think anyone knew what to expect because you know what happens at Chelsea.

17:42It's happened before. If you don't win things, you know exactly what happens. You're in there for a reason and how it was going to work. But he's done a magnificent job. He really has.

17:53Alan Shearer:Two trophies, obviously. He had a good start to the season. There was a little bit of a dip, wasn't there? And you then questioned, then you've got an enormous squad and it's all very well when you're winning and the players, you can keep them happy and stuff. But when you just have a kind of blip in results, which they had, that was a test of leadership. And they came out of that strongly. They won the Conference League, obviously, and now they've won this as well. So they have to be in anyone's conversation, I think, for the season coming up. And, you know, we did a brilliant job at Leicester, Moresca, got them up, played some great football, which he does as well, keeping the ball.

18:31Alan Shearer:He's obviously, you know, super talented coach and he's proved to be a really good appointment. Their recruitment, Chelsea, whether you agree long-term, whether that's going to work in terms of keeping everybody happy on eight, nine-year contracts, that sort of stuff. Time will tell on that one. But, you know, they've gone from a team last season where we thought, if they had a striker, you know, Nicholas Jackson did okay, but not brilliantly. And then they've brought in now two others that can play there, Jao Pedro and Liam De Lappe. Even De Lappe, when he came on, he had one fantastic effort and perhaps another one where he might have done better and gone around the keeper.

19:10Alan Shearer:But you could see there was something there as well. So I think Chelsea fans not only should be ecstatic at the moment, but they should also be quite excited about perhaps what's to come. Yeah, I can't see Nicholas Jackson staying at Chelsea. No, I agree. I think I said, did I say that maybe last week? as soon as Pedro had came in and scored the two goals and De Lapp's already there. If there's one person that's going to be shifted out, then my guess is it would be him. And it wouldn't surprise me if they've already offered him to other football clubs and they've inquired about him. Perhaps after the red cards that he had as well.

19:46It's a beautiful trophy, by the way. The Tiffany & Co trophy. Yes, Alex. Lovely.

19:53Alan Shearer:someone was at the official party of the Chelsea team wasn't they yeah a Maresca masterclass on the dance floor too was that really? but yeah it was good vibes good vibes speeches were made everyone having a great time they also showed all the highlights back there were big projector screens with all the goals from throughout the tournament but no it was a good party was it a late night? an early morning Al yes I love it I didn't have you there to tell me to go home I needed you I bet you had one for the road and then another one for the road and another one yes you can say that again I love it brilliant it's not every day you're crowned champions of the world Alan you've had a long month you deserved a good night you deserved a good party so much so Alan but the time the invitation came through for producer Harry and myself to join them.

20:54Alan Shearer:I was already asleep being the old man. I would have gone obviously otherwise. Yeah, we left this hotel at about 11 to go at 10.30. You were invited, you were invited. But Harry did say you were asleep. Yeah. He could have woken you up. If he'd have woken me up, he knows what the answer would have been. He's in trouble. Yeah, good stuff. Well, congratulations to Chelsea. That's it for this particular episode. We're going to have a little review of the tournament and talk about perhaps who's the best player, the best goal, best goalkeeper, etc. for later in the week. But for now, goodbye from me.

21:39Goodbye from me. Goodbye from me.