Chelsea’s journey in the 2025 Club World Cup has evolved from mere curiosity into a legitimate quest for glory. What are their odds of claiming the title, how does it align with Enzo Maresca’s aspirations, and are they making the right acquisitions?
Four matches into the tournament, it’s evident that the Blues have discovered both their rhythm and determination.
Now facing Palmeiras in the semi-finals, the concern shifts from whether Chelsea are taking the competition seriously—this is abundantly clear—to their capacity to conquer it entirely.
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Last English Club Left Standing
In terms of statistics and tactics, Chelsea—now the sole English club remaining following Manchester City’s unexpected defeat to Al Hilal—ranks as one of the strongest contenders left in the competition.
They have netted a total of 10 goals over four matches, with contributions from eight different players, while their three goals conceded occurred during their single loss.
Their campaign kicked off with a solid 2-0 victory against LAFC, where both Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez scored in front of a relatively modest crowd of 22,137—a surprisingly low attendance for such a globally marketed event.
Maresca described the atmosphere as “a bit strange,” highlighting how it affected their matchday tempo.
This was followed by a disappointing 3-1 loss to Flamengo. Neto’s early goal gave Chelsea hope before Nicolas Jackson’s reckless red card turned the match on its head immediately after Flamengo equalised courtesy of Bruno Henrique. Flamengo capitalised on Chelsea’s disarray, with goals from Danilo and Wallace Yan, reminding the London side of their vulnerabilities—both mental and tactical.
However, Chelsea’s composure returned thereafter. They triumphed 3-0 over Esperance Tunis, with Tosin Adarabioyo, Liam Delap, and rising star Tyrique George all finding the back of the net.
In the round of 16, Chelsea faced Benfica in a match filled with delays, ultimately winning 4-1 after extra time, much to Maresca’s frustration regarding the interruptions.
“It’s a joke… it is not football,” he remarked, questioning whether the United States was the right venue for this tournament, given its poor organisation and the sweltering heat.
Reece James, returning from injury, opened the scoring after half-time, as Chelsea surged ahead with goals from Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the extra period.
This victory against Benfica marked the 14th occasion Chelsea scored four or more goals under Maresca, a record unmatched by any Premier League side since his tenure began.
Moreover, Chelsea’s attacking ambitions have been further underscored with two mid-tournament signings: £30 million for Liam Delap from Ipswich and £60 million for Joao Pedro from Brighton.
Maresca’s fluid 3-2-4-1 system encourages high-possession football with pressing forwards and overlapping full-backs, blending last season’s regulars with the new recruits seamlessly.
Transfer Progress
While many clubs focused on on-field stability, Chelsea have been proactive in the transfer market, making significant enhancements.
Delap has already made an impact, showcasing sharp movement and the ability to lead the attack with both a goal and an assist in his initial appearances.
Maresca, familiar with the striker from his time in Manchester City’s youth setup, stated following Delap’s impressive first performance off the bench: “You arrive, you work hard, you work harder than the other number nine, and you will be the first choice.”
The message is clear—Delap is viewed not as a prospect but as a key player.
Joao Pedro brings valuable Premier League experience, having scored 30 goals and provided 10 assists in 70 appearances for Brighton, displaying the versatility and composure vital for knockout stages.
Registered and ready, he will be available for the upcoming clash against Palmeiras and eager to make his mark, following in Delap’s footsteps.
With Jackson suspended and having underperformed last season, the decision regarding Chelsea’s lead striker appears to be narrowing down.
Delap boasts the early lead with a goal and assist as well as tactical synergy, but Pedro represents the club’s highest profile striker acquisition since Diego Costa. Fans will be keen to see if he can replicate Delap’s early impact.
Defensively, however, concerns remain with many fans questioning the emphasis on attacking signings over much-needed reinforcement at the back and in goal.
Nonetheless, there is no denying that substantial improvements are being made in attack, while the midfield appears well-stocked on paper. Many of last season’s forwards may find themselves on the chopping block as the summer transfer window approaches.
With players like Jackson, Nkunku, Joao Felix, and Noni Madueke facing uncertain futures, the lead role for Chelsea’s attacking line is very much up for grabs, looking notably stronger than last season.
What Would Winning the Club World Cup Mean?
For a club whose recent identity has been marred by managerial changes, inflated spending, and inconsistent form, the Club World Cup presents an opportunity for the clarity Chelsea desperately needs.
A victory would signify not only silverware and increased global recognition but also much-needed affirmation of Maresca’s early days in charge.
His tactical approach, grounded in nuance and youth, would elevate from experimental to elite status, considering the talents already at Chelsea.
Most crucially, it would lend credibility to the ongoing project at Stamford Bridge, aligning the west London club as serious contenders in next season’s Premier League.
There are still formidable opposition teams in the mix, with perennial powerhouses like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich favoured by many, and it would be unwise for Maresca to underestimate Palmeiras.
Nevertheless, tournament football is about peaking at the right moment rather than too early.
Chelsea appears to be hitting their stride just as others falter, with key players like Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo, and Enzo Fernandez reaching form, while excitement builds surrounding their transfer activities.
The club’s mid-tournament additions, fervent performances under intense conditions, and Maresca’s no-nonsense managerial approach send a clear signal: they are here to claim victory.
While they may not be the favourites, Chelsea certainly stands out as a dark horse in the race for the Club World Cup.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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