Club World Cup a test of Chelsea’s elite credentials

After securing their return to the Champions League on the final day of the season, Chelsea like an early likelihood to level to they belong assist amongst the elite this summer at the Club World Cup.

Enzo Maresca’s facet beat Nottingham Forest in their final Premier League match to clinch fourth space after an inconsistent campaign, ending a two-season absence from Europe’s high competition.

The Blues, who reached FIFA’s revamped and expanded tournament by landing a 2d Champions League triumph in 2021, were handed a superior opening raft of fixtures within the US.

Chelsea starting up their Club World Cup campaign in Personnel D towards Los Angeles FC, who battled through a play-off round towards Club The US to modify the disqualified Club Leon.

After that opening fixture in Atlanta on Monday, Chelsea head north to face Brazilian group Flamengo and Tunisia’s Esperance, every in Philadelphia.

Los Angeles boast venerable Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud, despite the proven fact that the 38-three hundred and sixty five days-old fashioned is now not a unparalleled starter.

Flamengo, who high-quality by lifting the Copa Libertadores in 2022, are coached by effectively-regarded venerable Chelsea and Atletico Madrid defender Filipe Luis.

Esperance like won eight of the final 9 Tunisian league titles nevertheless are conception to be the weakest group within the team.

Within the knock-out rounds tantalising possible clashes towards Bayern Munich and Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain may per chance per chance lie forward.

Chelsea won the competition in its old structure in 2022, beating Brazil’s Palmeiras within the final.

There may perchance be particular interest in how unusual Chelsea signing Liam Delap fares after his modern walk from relegated Ipswich.

The Blues beat Manchester United amongst other golf equipment within the bustle for the 22-three hundred and sixty five days-old fashioned striker who netted 12 times in 37 high-flight suits and moved for £30 million ($41 million).

Chelsea lacked firepower up front this season with Nicolas Jackson inconsistent and Christopher Nkunku struggling badly for murder.

– Palmer introduction –

Delap, the son of venerable Stoke midfielder Rory Delap, came through the Manchester Metropolis early life academy like Chelsea’s necessary individual player, Cole Palmer.

The England international’s revival in direction of the pause of the season is a suited trace, with Palmer vivid within the Conference League final gain over True Betis.

The 23-three hundred and sixty five days-old fashioned disregarded Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the US final summer and Maresca said it became once a likelihood for the playmaker to take the nation by storm.

“Palmer is up there with the very finest high players who can trace something at any moment, trace something out of nothing,” said the coach.

“He wasn’t with me on the United States tour final summer, so it will also be a likelihood for him to journey the environment there and to introduce himself to North The US.”

Beating Betis in Poland earned Maresca his first trophy as Chelsea manager and a deep bustle within the US may per chance be one more trace that the Blues are usually not off route.

On an upwards trajectory and with a young squad, Chelsea like masses of possible to enhance within the years to come assist.

“(Critics) had been asserting that we weren't ready to gain… on legend of we’re too young, on legend of we’re now not skilled,” said Maresca after sealing fourth space within the Premier League.

“Unfortunately for them, they've all been terrifying.”

Summer success will be indispensable to the club’s co-homeowners, US businessman Todd Boehly and deepest equity agency Clearlake Capital, with merely about £100 million on the road for the winners.

While now not amongst the dwelling of high favourites, including English rivals Manchester Metropolis, 15-time European champions True Madrid and PSG, Chelsea are quiet anticipated to succeed within the final eight.

With fans now not fully equipped on Maresca’s model of possession soccer, and even Palmer asserting he became once “ailing” of the ball going assist and forth within the Conference League final, one more trophy can assist soothe any constructing tension in south-west London.