In his post-match press conference (aired on BBC Match of the Day and YouTube clips from Palace’s official channel), Glasner was reflective and frustrated about his team’s performance—lamenting missed chances, defensive errors, and a lack of ruthlessness that allowed Chelsea to punish mistakes efficiently. Palace had started brightly but conceded three goals (with Andrey Santos and others shining for the Blues), extending their winless run to 11 games across competitions and raising serious relegation concerns.
Yet amid the disappointment, Glasner singled out Cole Palmer for special praise, calling the Chelsea attacking midfielder’s display “outstanding” and “a level above” in moments that decided the game. He highlighted Palmer’s composure, vision, and ability to unlock defenses—specifically noting a key assist and his general influence in transition that made life difficult for Palace’s backline. Glasner admitted that facing a player of Palmer’s quality was “frustrating” because “he’s so clever and calm under pressure,” effectively turning potential counter-attacks into dangerous opportunities for Chelsea.
The comments stunned observers: it’s rare for a losing manager to lavish such direct, glowing praise on an opposition star, especially one whose contributions contributed to their defeat. Fans on social media and forums like Reddit’s r/chelseafc and r/crystalpalace erupted—Blues supporters celebrated it as validation of Palmer’s “generational” talent, while Palace fans were split between amusement at the honesty and mild irritation that their boss was “bigging up” the enemy. Pundits on Sky Sports and BBC noted the rarity, with some joking Glasner sounded like he was scouting Palmer rather than analyzing his own team’s loss.
Glasner also commended Chelsea’s overall efficiency under Liam Rosenior, describing them as a “great team with fantastic players” who capitalize ruthlessly—echoing his pre-match respect for the Blues as Club World Cup champions. But the spotlight stayed on his Palmer shoutout, which felt unusually generous in defeat. It underscored Palmer’s rising status: the 23-year-old continued his stellar form with contributions in the win, solidifying his role as Chelsea’s creative hub amid links to big moves (including Manchester United speculation).
For Palace, the defeat deepened woes—Glasner stressed rebuilding confidence through results, insisting they’re “closer to Europe places than relegation” despite the slide. Yet his candid admiration for Palmer became the talking point, reminding everyone how elite individual quality can shine even in opposition defeat. A classy moment from the Austrian coach that transcended rivalry and sparked widespread discussion. 🔵⚪
What do you make of Glasner’s praise—fair assessment or too complimentary after a loss?
