Chelsea became champions of the world with a stunning 3-0 win over PSG in the Club World Cup final that banked them a huge prize fund, but their celebrations on stage were overshadowed by Donald trump
Donald Trump told Cole Palmer he was a “big fan” of his while on stage as Chelsea celebrated their Club World Cup triumph, according to a lip-reading expert.
The Blues were crowned world champions on Sunday evening after their incredible 3-0 win over PSG, who were the favourites coming into the game after they won the Champions League and thrashed Real Madrid 4-0 in the semi-finals.
But Chelsea put together an impressive game plan to stifle PSG’s threat and dismantle them. Cole Palmer bagged a brace while new signing Joao Pedro was also on the scoresheet.
Chelsea are said to have bagged around £97m after going all the way in the US tournament, building on their UEFA Conference League triumph earlier in the summer.
So it was a cause for huge celebration as they took to the stage to lift the trophy of the inaugural version of the revamped tournament at the MetLife Stadium this weekend.
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US President Trump had also taken to the stage as he presented captain Reece James with the cup, but players were left baffled when the outspoken politician refused to leave for the trophy lift.
Match-winner Palmer looked visibly irked as he appeared to say: “What’s he doing?” to his team-mates as Trump was seen speaking to James and goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
Earlier on, Trump had handed Sanchez his Golden Glove award and also gave Palmer his Golden Ball prize, with the two exchanging words after being introduced by Fifa chief Gianni Infantino.
Lip-reading expert Jeremy Freeman told the Daily Mail that Trump told Palmer: “Chelsea’s biggest fan. I’m a big fan of you. So well done you.” It’s claimed Palmer simply replied: “Thank you” before joining the rest of his team-mates on stage.
It was also claimed that James had asked Trump’s permission to lift the trophy, with Palmer opposing the decision and saying: “No, no just wait, wait… wait… wait.” But Trump insisted: “Oh yeah we can, good!” before Chelsea started their celebrations.
Freeman also said Sanchez’s conversation with Trump involved him asking the president: “Please sir, want us to lift the trophy next to you?” with Trump giving his approval.
Palmer was asked about Trump’s presence in a press-conference after the game, as he said: “I knew he was going to be here but I didn’t know he was going to be on the stand when we lifted the trophy so I was a bit confused, yeah.’
Trump’s decision has been slammed by fans, who accused him of overshadowing Chelsea’s celebrations and “making it about himself”, but captain James said he had no problem with it. Revealing what the president said to him, he added: “I wasn’t expecting him to lift the trophy with us, but I guess it shows just how big the tournament is. He just congratulated me and the team and told us to enjoy the moment.”
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