Chelsea entered the Club World Cup with ambition and curiosity after winning the UEFA Conference League under Enzo Maresca’s guidance. Placed in Group D alongside Flamengo, Espérance de Tunis, and Los Angeles FC, the English side had to navigate challenging weather conditions and fluctuating performances.
In their first group match, the Blues defeated Espérance 3-0 with goals from Tosin Adarabioyo, Liam Delap, and Tyrique George. In the humid Philadelphia climate, the team showed composure, with Maresca rotating almost the entire squad and receiving a solid response from the youngsters, particularly Delap. This result allowed Chelsea to avoid an immediate clash with Bayern Munich, keeping a smoother path for the next stage.
However, the second match revealed some cracks. Against Flamengo, Chelsea fell 3-1 despite an early goal from Pedro Neto, highlighting issues in managing transitions and offensive structure, with Cole Palmer too isolated on the wing. The defeat demonstrated the need to improve cohesion in attack against high-level opponents.
A reaction came in the third match against Los Angeles FC, where the Blues regained rhythm and control, winning and securing qualification for the knockout phase as group runners-up behind Flamengo.
Knockout stage: resilience amid unexpected obstacles
Chelsea faced Benfica in a dramatic Round of 16 clash, marked by a lengthy weather delay and VAR controversies. Reece James had put the Blues ahead with a perfect free-kick before the suspension, but a late penalty awarded in the final minutes brought Benfica level, sending the match into extra time.
After a Benfica player was sent off, Chelsea capitalized on the space, with goals from Nkunku, Neto, and Dewsbury-Hall sealing a 4-1 win and a place among the final eight. Despite the result, the match showcased Chelsea’s ability to remain compact in challenging moments and adapt to unpredictable situations.
Key strengths that emerged
Chelsea’s journey has shown promising signs, particularly in midfield management, with Roméo Lavia, Enzo Fernández, and Moisés Caicedo dictating the tempo and disrupting opponents’ actions. The integration between experienced players and youngsters like Nkunku, Delap, and Palmer has also proven positive, with a dynamic attack capable of creating opportunities in multiple ways.
Maresca has demonstrated tactical flexibility, alternating between patient build-up and high pressing when needed. However, the loss against Flamengo and moments of defensive disorganization against Benfica highlight areas that require improvement to maintain focus during critical stages.
Managing uncertainty in the final stages
With Palmeiras as their next opponent, Chelsea now enters the most challenging phase of the tournament. Both teams favor possession-based play and organized pressing but with different philosophies. At this stage, where every detail can make a difference, real-time analysis tools, such as live betting, can provide an interesting technical reading of the matches without exceeding simple sporting observation.
For the Blues, maintaining balance will be crucial: continuing to leverage defensive solidity and a variety of offensive solutions while preserving compactness and the ability to react under pressure. External variables, such as weather conditions and the handling of unexpected events, have already proven decisive in this edition of the tournament and will continue to influence the next rounds.