Few would’ve expected Chelsea to emerge winners at the Club World Cup this summer in the US, but Enzo Maresca’s side defied the odds and became the first side to be crowned World Champions under the new expanded tournament format.
Two group stage results play a big role
In hindsight, Chelsea’s shock 3-1 group stage loss to Flamengo in Philadelphia actually worked in favour of the Blues. It ensured they finished second in the group and sent them into the relatively easier side of the draw for the knockout stages.
The other big group stage result that helped Chelsea was Bayern’s surprise group stage defeat to Benfica. If Bayern had won that game, they would’ve been CFC’s opponents in the Ro16. Instead, it was Benfica, and Chelsea have an excellent record against the Portuguese outfit, whom they beat en route to the 2012 Champions League and 2013 Europa League titles. They had to do it the hard way against SLB here, winning 4-1 in extra time, but that win gave them the belief that they could again potentially go all the way.
City and Inter shock defeats ensure easier passage
The group stages finishing as they did meant that Chelsea’s biggest threats in the knockout stage would be one of Man City or Inter Milan. As it turned out, neither of them progressed past the Round of 16, with CL finalists Inter going down to Fluminense and Pep Guardiola’s Man City upset by Saudi side Al-Hilal in one of the games of the tournament.
Their exits meant Chelsea’s route to the final consisted of Benfica, Palmeiras and Fluminense- all relatively easier opponents on paper.
In comparison, PSG had to first beat Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami in the Round of 16, followed by fixtures against Bayern and Real Madrid, to book their spot in the final.
Stunning performance in final
Most folks had PSG as favourites for the final and for good reason- they had absolutely demolished Bayern and Real Madrid in the quarters and semis, and has also dismantled Atletico Madrid in the group stages. They were also the reigning European champions, having beaten Inter Milan 5-0 in a one-sided final just weeks ago.
Chelsea weren’t really expected to trouble the Parisians, but Maresca’ men put in a stunning performance to beat Luis Enrique’s side 3-0 and lift the title. Cole Palmer was instrumental in that triumph for the Blues, netting their first two goals and then setting up new signing Joao Pedro for the third.
New season
Things seem to be shaping up pretty well for Maresca in the build-up to the new campaign. The twin Conference League and Club World Cup triumphs would’ve injected lots of confidence into this side and would’ve also reassured the powers that be at Stamford Bridge that the Italian is the man to take this club forward.
The club have been pretty busy in the transfer window, reinforcing their squad with the likes of Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, Estevao and Jorrel Hato, amongst others. The Premier League is always a competitive league, but Chelsea appear to have a very good chance of finishing in the top four next season, as evinced by the current odds at the Lottoland sportsbook.
The Blues may even finish higher, but securing CL football will be their first priority. The prize money from the Club World Cup has also helped- it’s practically paid for the likes of Joao Pedro and Gittens. The likes of Liverpool, Man City and Arsenal will not go down without a fight, but Chelsea have the advantage of a pretty kind draw to start the campaign.
Maresca’s men have three fixtures in August to begin with and all are against London opposition- Crystal Palace at home, West Ham away and Fulham again at home.
September starts with a trip to another London opponent in the form of Brentford, and it’s only in the third week of the month that they have to really travel (to Manchester to face a United side who are in a rebuilding phase of their own, and finished a lowly 15th last season)
