Following their triumph in the Club World Cup, a noticeable confidence permeated the Chelsea squad, particularly evident in Levi Colwill. In the build-up to the match against Paris Saint-Germain, many had expected Chelsea to lose, yet the Blues arrived at MetLife Stadium, effectively pressed PSG off the pitch, and secured their second trophy of the season. Post-match, Colwill captured the mood concisely, stating, “That`s what Chelsea does, Chelsea wins.”
While this hasn`t consistently been the case for Chelsea recently, the Club World Cup title, which they will proudly display on their shirts (still lacking a sponsor) until the next tournament in 2029, feels significant. Securing a return to the Champions League for the first time since the 2022-23 season by winning the Conference League was seen as an expectation, and finishing in the Premier League`s top four was an achievement. However, defeating PSG felt like a resurgence of the Chelsea team that historically competed for major silverware year after year, even if only for a single match.
Colwill emphasized the team`s mindset going into the final: “We knew this was our last game of football for this season, so there’s no way we were going to go on holiday and sit there thinking oh, I wish I could’ve gave that little bit more for the team. I told everyone this before the game, and we went there and gave everything, and that’s what the scoreline reflects, and that’s why we wanted it.”
Key players stepped up in the final. Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo justified their high transfer fees by dominating the midfield. Cole Palmer showcased why he is considered one of the Premier League`s top talents. Marc Cucurella was influential across the pitch. Even Joao Pedro, who joined Chelsea just 11 days before the final, led the attack and scored, offering hope for a potent striker presence not truly felt since Diego Costa`s departure.
In short, there`s much to admire about the current Chelsea squad, but significant issues still need addressing. With Champions League football on the horizon, Enzo Maresca will face limitations on squad rotation compared to the Conference League, where he often used almost two entirely different lineups. This increased workload will test player fitness and could diminish one of Chelsea`s key advantages from the CWC – their comparative freshness. Further transfer activity is anticipated, with Noni Madueke potentially moving on. However, the confidence gained from this tournament is invaluable.
Players themselves spoke about their growing belief with each victory, which ultimately propelled the team to win. For a club with Chelsea`s stature, however, this momentum must extend further. Captain Reece James reflected on the club`s journey after his own strong midfield performance in the final.
“Today showed how far our club has come,” James commented. “We’ve had a difficult few years not competing in the Champions League, and this was the toughest test today. We probably got a little bit of love with the draws and stuff in the competition, and today was the best team that we faced. We knew it was going to be tough, and I know the team was ready, and I think we showed that.”
James`s personal career, marked by significant injury spells, has mirrored Chelsea`s recent struggles. A larger squad offers the benefit of more rotation, potentially keeping him fit for crucial games like this one. Managing player fitness, along with resolving the goalkeeping situation, will be crucial for Chelsea`s performance next season. While Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan was linked before the Club World Cup and that move didn`t materialize, Robert Sanchez delivered an excellent performance in the final, making six crucial saves.
Decisions on these fronts will largely determine Chelsea`s potential ceiling for the season. Nevertheless, the success in this knockout tournament provides a vital foundation. Knowing they can perform and secure consecutive wins against tough opponents using varied tactics is a critical takeaway. The next challenge will be replicating this success over two legs in the Champions League knockout stages, should they advance past the league phase.
While the current squad setup might not immediately position them as Premier League title contenders for the upcoming season, they are clearly progressing. Finding a reliable goalscorer, whether Joao Pedro or Liam Delap steps up, would significantly accelerate Chelsea`s return to the top. Even if that doesn`t happen overnight, the Club World Cup has undeniably shown that the Blues are heading in the right direction.
