Chelsea target new succesful era with Club World Cup looming

After a 2023-24 season to forget, Chelsea have righted their course and made a strong return to the European top flight for the 2024-25 season. With Enzo Maresca in the dugout and a squad full of young players, the Stamford Bridge outfit have achieved the two major objectives they set themselves at the start of the season.

In the Premier League, the Londoners finished in fourth position, which has earned them one of the English spots for the next Champions League, a competition from which they were absent in the last two editions. They also won the Conference League for the first time in their history, in which they started as favourites. With their 4-1 win over Betis, the Blues made history as the first club to win every major competition organised by UEFA.

Now, with their work done, the team led by the brutal talent that is Cole Palmer will try to give the definitive blow to the table in the new Club World Cup, which they will attend as champions of the 2020-21 Champions League. The Londoners may not be the favourites, but with an affordable group (Flamengo, Los Angeles FC and ES Tunis) and a theoretically easy first crossing in the last 16, they should be able to reach the quarter-finals. From there, anything can happen, with glory just three games away.

Squad list

Players to watch

Although Chelsea have a squad full of young talent, none stands out more than Cole Palmer. The Englishman, who left the Manchester City set-up to lead the way at Stamford Bridge, has established himself as one of the Premier League's best players over the last two seasons. After an inconsistent few months, in which his numbers have slumped since February, Palmer was back to his best in the Conference League final, providing a couple of assists and guiding the Blues on their way to glory.

With Cole as the focal point, a number of players also stand out in his shadow. Literally, because behind him is the duo of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, who at their best form one of the best midfield duos on the planet. Nor can we forget a defensive line that includes Marc Cucurella, whose form both at club level and with the Spanish national team makes him one of the top left-backs, a position where talent is in short supply.

Coach

Having arrived at Stamford Bridge after being promoted from Leicester, Enzo Maresca's first year at the club can be considered a success. The Italian, Pep Guardiola's apprentice, has tried to give his team an attacking, fast and attractive style of football, something that is in keeping with the profile of the players he has in his squad. There have been months in which things have not worked out, but the Italian's record in his debut in a big club is more than satisfactory, with 35 wins, 9 draws and 13 defeats to date.

With the Champions League ticket already secured and the Conference League under his belt, Maresca will be looking to make his mark at the Club World Cup, which Chelsea will be hoping to reach with a bang. With a flexible 4-2-3-1 formation and a large squad that allows him to modify his ideas depending on the context of the match, the Pontecagnano Faiano native will be looking to establish himself against some of the best coaches on the planet.

Group stage fixtures

Matchday 1

Chelsea will face Los Angeles FC, the last team to qualify for the tournament, on Monday 16th June (21:00, Spanish time) at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta). This Club World Cup will be the first meeting between the two sides.

Matchday 2

That same week, the Londoners will face Flamengo on Friday 20th June (20:00, Spanish time) at Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia). The Blues have played twice against Brazilian clubs in the Club World Cup, with one win (1-0 against Palmeiras in 2022) and one defeat (1-0 against Corinthians in 2012).

Matchday 3

Chelsea will face ES Tunis on Wednesday 25th June (03:00, Spanish time) in the closing game of the group stage. The clash against the weaker opponents on paper will take place at Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia). It will be the first occasion on which the English have faced an African side.

Possible starting XI