Chelsea's Club World Cup Challenge: Can They Bring Home the Trophy?

Chelsea kicks off their Club World Cup campaign against Los Angeles FC, seeking to build on their recent Conference League win under Enzo Maresca. With potential blockbuster matches ahead, can the Blues bring home the trophy and silence critics of their possession-based style?

Chelsea are set to test their credentials among the world's elite at the Club World Cup, following their return to the Champions League. The Blues secured fourth place in the Premier League on the final day, beating Nottingham Forest to end a two-season absence from Europe's top competition.

Under Enzo Maresca, Chelsea showed glimpses of promise despite an inconsistent campaign. The Club World Cup provides an early opportunity for Maresca's side to prove themselves against top clubs globally.

Chelsea have been drawn into Group D of the Club World Cup and will face Los Angeles FC in their opening match. The Blues have a favorable start to their campaign, with LAFC having overcome Club America in a play-off to take the spot originally allocated to Club Leon, who were disqualified.

Chelsea qualified for the tournament after winning the Champions League for the second time in 2021, and they're looking to make an impact in the competition.

After their opening match in Atlanta on Monday, Chelsea will travel north to Philadelphia to face Brazilian giants Flamengo and Tunisian side Esperance. Meanwhile, Los Angeles, led by former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud, will also be in action, although the 38-year-old Frenchman isn't a regular starter for the team.

Flamengo, the 2022 Copa Libertadores winners, are led by former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid defender Filipe Luis, a well-respected coach. Meanwhile, Esperance, who have dominated Tunisian football with eight of the last nine league titles, are considered the weakest team in Group D.

The Blues heading Stateside! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/RQWQSkdWmj

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 11, 2025

In the knockout stages, Chelsea could face potential blockbuster matches against Bayern Munich and Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain. The Blues have experience in the competition, having won it in 2021 is not mentioned they did win in a different format in 2022 when they beat Palmeiras in the final.

There's keen interest in new Chelsea signing Liam Delap, who joined from relegated Ipswich Town for £30 million. The 22-year-old striker scored 12 goals in 37 top-flight matches and could provide much-needed firepower for Chelsea, who struggled with inconsistent form from Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku this season.

New Signing Spotlight: Liam Delap

Liam Delap, the son of former Stoke midfielder Rory Delap, shares a similar background to Chelsea star Cole Palmer, having developed through the Manchester City youth academy. Fans will be watching Delap closely after his £30 million move from Ipswich Town, while Palmer's resurgence towards the end of the season, highlighted by his impressive performance in the Conference League final win over Real Betis, bodes well for Chelsea's future.

Cole Palmer, who missed Chelsea's pre-season US tour last summer, is set to shine under Enzo Maresca. The coach believes Palmer is among the world's best, saying, “Palmer is up there with the very best top players who can produce something at any moment, create something out of nothing.” Maresca sees this as an opportunity for Palmer to make a significant impact.

“He wasn't with me on the USA tour last summer, so it will also be a chance for him to experience the environment there and to introduce himself to North America.”

Chelsea's Conference League win over Betis marked Enzo Maresca's first trophy as manager, and a strong run in the Club World Cup could signal progress. With a young squad, Chelsea have potential to improve further. After securing fourth place in the Premier League, Maresca said, “(Critics) were saying that we were not able to win... because we're too young, because we're not experienced.” This success shows the team's growth and potential.

Chelsea's co-owners, Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, have a lot riding on the Club World Cup, with nearly £100 million up for grabs for the winners. Maresca added, “Unfortunately for them, they have all been wrong,” after critics doubted the team's ability to succeed due to their youth and lack of experience. Summer success could be a significant boost for the club.

Chelsea, though not top favorites alongside Manchester City, Real Madrid, and PSG, are expected to reach the quarterfinals. However, fans remain skeptical about Enzo Maresca's possession-based style, with Cole Palmer admitting he grew tired of sideways passing in the Conference League final. A trophy could ease tensions and boost support for Maresca's approach.