Chelsea will represent the Premier League in the FIFA Club World Cup outside winning the Europa Conference League and there is many intrigues around the side of Enzo Maresca
Enzo Maresca has already won a European trophy and has booked a place in the Champions League of next season. But in reality Maresca is still only on the same footing. Although no one would admit it publicly, it would have been a failure if Chelsea had not removed the Europa Conference League trophy and returned to the largest stage of European football was always the target.
And yet the Club World Cup not only offers the stimulus of a Jackpot of £ 97 million for the winners, but also a huge opportunity for Chelsea. This could be the tournament that places them back between the elite and, almost as important, gives them the chance to form their future. This is also about what Chelsea can get a team from this tournament.
When he mentioned Maresca last year, the club made it clear that they viewed the seasons 2024/25 and 2025/26 for almost two years.
Why? The unique character of the Club World Cup threw a new challenge, but also a big chance.
They spent great before the tournament in the United States, making Mike Penders, Mamadou Sarr, Dario Essugo and Liam Delap added and placed directly in their 28 -man team for the Club World Cup.
They spent £ 30 million on Delap and now comes the question whether he can challenge Nicolas Jackson to become the first choice of the club. Jackson can be rash, unreliable and temperamental because they are sent away in the Run-in in Newcastle. But he is also strong, improves and, for Senegal against England, he has shown great potential.
Now comes Delap who was searched for by a series of clubs and it is still to see whether he is good enough to win his place as the first choice or to offer the kind of competition that Jackson has to concentrate his mind.
The line -ups in the United States – starting against Los Angeles FC in Atlanta on Monday – must be very revealing about that striker dynamic.
Similarly, the keeper problem has yet to be solved. They were so insufficient that Robert Sanchez NO1 would remain, had the full support of the club – and yet went for AC Milan -keeper Mike Maignan.
They could not get a deal, but can still visit it again, but emphasized that it was an opportunity to pop up. However, it still appears that there are doubts about the keeper problem and they have a young gem in Mike Penders who has been on loan but has been highly regarded.
Filip Jörgensen from Chelsea played the final of the Conference League, but there can be no doubt that a convincing NO1 would really improve the entire team and give the team more confidence.
What is happening in the United States must really reveal in that area. Very far Chelsea Go will also form their plans for next season, because they want to give players a break and yet the Premier League starts only five weeks after the final of the Club World Cup on July 13.
That is a dilemma for many clubs and managers. But the care for Chelsea is that there is an acceptance that they still have ground to make up for Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City. But starting as a disadvantage while giving their main rides a lead is exactly what Chelsea does not need. They have to get the balance between wanting to win, but also be charged and ready for next season.
The other fascinating dynamics is that the most exciting young signing of Chelsea plays demonstrably at the club World Cup – just not for them. They paid £ 29 million for Estevao Willian who was tried by every major club in Europe. Chelsea landed him but allowed him to stay in Palmeiras for another year and the Brazilian club is in group A.
There will be a lot of excitement about this 18-year-old and it can take light in the United States. He is so competent, such a great dribble and is extremely entertaining.