Is Chelsea Ready to Win the Club World Cup?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Winning is the only goal for Chelsea in the Club World Cup.
- Coach Maresca emphasizes readiness for competition rather than preseason.
- New players are being integrated into the squad.
- Group D includes Los Angeles FC, Flamengo, and ES Tunis.
- The tournament presents a significant opportunity for the team.
Atlanta, June 16 (NationPress) Chelsea's coach Enzo Maresca has sent a strong message to both players and supporters as the club prepares for its inaugural match in the 2025 Club World Cup. The Conference League champions are set to compete against Los Angeles FC in their opening tournament match, despite concerns regarding the timing and potential fatigue of the players. Nevertheless, Maresca firmly stated that Chelsea has arrived in the United States with a singular aim: to win.
The matchup on Tuesday at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium marks the start of Group D, which also features Brazilian team Flamengo and Tunisian club ES Tunis. While Chelsea is seen as the favourite to advance, managing that expectation is something Maresca's team is accustomed to from their Conference League experience.
"As the head coach of Chelsea, or as a player for this club, the objective is always to win. It doesn’t matter if it’s the Club World Cup or any other tournament—that is the standard we uphold," he expressed, as reported by Xinhua.
"Currently, the players would typically be enjoying their vacation and replenishing their energy. However, we are here with the purpose of competing to win. We can take a break after the Club World Cup,” Maresca added.
The coach remarked on the recent integration of several new players, including Liam Delap, Mike Penders, Mamadou Sarr, and Dario Essugo, and noted that the atmosphere was reminiscent of the start of preseason.
"After a brief break, with new faces joining the squad, the feeling was akin to returning for preseason when we convened a few days ago at Cobham," Maresca mentioned.
"However, my primary message since our return is that we’re not here just for preseason; this is a significant tournament. I’m immensely proud to guide Chelsea in the Club World Cup. It’s a first for us, and we must adapt swiftly to ensure we are prepared," he concluded.
Following the encounter with LAFC, Chelsea will take on Brazilian team Flamengo and Tunisian champions ES Tunis in the group stage.