Chelsea can use the Club World Cup as an exhibition ground, a chance to show how they have really improved throughout last season, and what they can offer with new signings coming into the new season.
Chelsea have had a brilliant run in the 2024/25 season, and they round it up with the FIFA Club World Cup. Ahead of their first game against Los Angeles FC at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Chelsea will be looking to make a statement.
The English side are fresh from qualifying for the Champions League and winning the Europa Conference League.
They would want to show their class as European champions against an American side that doesn’t really measure up to them, but there is so much more for Chelsea to take away from this competition.
This competition gives Chelsea a little taste of what the Champions League would feel like.
Although their group consists of teams that aren’t exactly on their level, they are competing against champions from leagues across the world, and if they progress, they will play much stronger teams, especially from Europe, that they may face in the Champions League.
The Club World Cup serves as a little indicator to see how Chelsea could measure up in the UEFA Champions League.
If they progress from their group, they may face Benfica in the round of 16 and then PSG in the quarter-finals if they progress to that stage. This would give them a small taste of Champions League football.
It’s also an opportunity to see how the new signings perform. Chelsea have named Mike Penders, Dario Essugo, and Liam Delap in their Club World Cup squad. Andrey Santos would also be joining the squad.
This competition gives both fans and Enzo Maresca a chance to see how he can integrate new signings into his current system.
It also allows fans to evaluate how well Maresca is willing to adapt or stretch his current playing style to the benefit of the team.
The squad is a very young one, and the Club World Cup is the perfect opportunity for them to get used to each other ahead of the new season, given that there’s really no space for pre-season fixtures.
Chelsea vs LAFC Team News
Ahead of the game against LAFC, there are reports that Delap could start up front ahead of Nicolas Jackson. With Penders in the squad and Maresca slowly losing confidence in Sanchez, the goalkeeper position is one to keep an eye on.
Here’s the predicted XI of both teams ahead of their Club World Cup opener.
Chelsea Predicted Starting Lineup:
Penders; James, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Cucurella; Lavia, Essugo; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Delap
Los Angeles FC Predicted Starting Lineup:
Lloris; Palencia, Segura, Marlon, Hollingshead; Tillman, Jesus, Delgado; Yeboah, Giroud, Bouanga
