Enzo Maresca believes that the newly renewed Club World Cup is “great motivation” for his Chelsea players as his side to win the competition in the summer.
The competition has been expanded to 32 teams, including 12 from Europe, and will take place in the United States between June and July.
The blues insured their place in the competition after being crowned European champions in 2021 with a 1-0 Champions League final victory against Manchester City in Porto.
Chelsea was placed in Group D next to Flamengo, Club Leon and Esperance Sportive de Tunis, with their first game that took place on June 16 in Atlanta.
And with Chelsea from the Running for Great Silver Work this season under Maresca, the Italian believes that the tournament is the perfect opportunity to lift his first title for the club.
“That's what you need to see it as a source of motivation,” said Maresca.
“As I told you before, when you are in Chelsea, your goal is to win as much as possible. And if we are there, that will be one of our goals: try to win it.
“I am happy because – as you just said – it is a tournament that brings the top 32 teams together [in the world]. So it is quite exciting to participate in such a huge competition.
“And you also have the opportunity to tackle other top coaches and some world -class teams.”
Chelsea lifted the title in 2022 After beating Palmeiras with 2-1 in extra time in the final, where Kai Havertz scored the winning penalty three minutes in time.
#Onthisday, we became Club World Cup champions in 2022. Pic.twitter.com/ofzcskxvqqqqqqqquit
– Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) 12 February 2025
The competition is seriously viewed by the hierarchy of Chelsea, according to sources close to the club, for two important reasons.
Earlier this month it was reported that the FIFA would give $ 1 billion in prize money to clubs participating in the competition, while it is also a chance for Chelsea to appeal to a global audience.
Maresca was also able to describe the involvement of Cole Palmer in the tournament, with the 22-year-old missing Chelsea's pre-season tour through America last year because of his participation in England in the European Championships.
The Three Lions International, however, is expected to be this time in more involved in more at stake.
“Cole Palmer is there with the very best, top players who can produce something at any time, make something out of nothing,” Maresca added.
“He was not at the USA Tour last summer, so it will also be an opportunity for him to experience the environment there and to appoint himself [North] America.”
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