Fresh off their Club World Cup victory, Chelsea`s players, including Levi Colwill, displayed a noticeable confidence. Despite assumptions they would lose to Paris Saint-Germain in the lead-up, the Blues dominated the match at MetLife Stadium, pressing their opponents effectively and securing their second trophy of the season. Colwill succinctly captured the mood post-match: “That`s what Chelsea does, Chelsea wins.”
While recent years haven`t always reflected that winning mantra for the Blues, the Club World Cup title offers a tangible marker of success they can proudly display on their shirts until the 2029 tournament. Securing a return to the Champions League after being absent since the 2022-23 season was a significant achievement, and winning the Conference League was seen as an expectation. However, defeating PSG felt different; it suggested the return, even if briefly, of the Chelsea side accustomed to competing for major silverware annually.
“We knew this was our last game of football for this season,” Colwill stated, emphasizing the team`s motivation. “There’s no way we were going to go on holiday and sit there thinking, `Oh, I wish I could`ve given 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 delivered on their potential: Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo controlled the midfield, living up to their hefty price tags. Cole Palmer showcased his status as one of the Premier League`s top talents, and Marc Cucurella put in an all-action performance. Even Joao Pedro, who joined Chelsea just eleven days before the final, led the attack effectively and scored, sparking hope that the club has finally found an impactful central striker since Diego Costa`s departure.
Overall, there`s much to be optimistic about regarding this Chelsea squad, but challenges persist. With Champions League football on the horizon, manager Enzo Maresca will likely have less opportunity for the extensive squad rotation seen in the Conference League, potentially increasing fatigue compared to competitors. Further transfers are also anticipated, with Noni Madueke possibly moving on, but the boost in confidence from this tournament is undeniable and valuable.
Players themselves acknowledged how their confidence grew with each win, fueling their belief and pushing the team towards victory. However, for a club of Chelsea`s stature, this progress must continue. Captain Reece James, who also had a strong showing in midfield during the final, reflected on the achievement.
“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` own career has faced setbacks due to injuries, mirroring some of the club`s recent struggles. However, the benefit of a larger squad allows for greater rotation, helping him stay fit for crucial matches like the final. Managing player fitness, particularly for key figures like James, will be vital next season. The goalkeeper situation also remains a point of attention; while AC Milan`s Mike Maignan was linked before the tournament, Robert Sanchez performed admirably in the final, making six important saves.
Decisions regarding squad management and key positions will ultimately determine Chelsea`s trajectory next season. This success in a knockout tournament, demonstrating the ability to win consecutive games against strong opposition with varied tactics, is a crucial takeaway. The next test will be translating this into success over two legs in the Champions League knockout stages, should they advance past the initial phase. While winning the Premier League might still be a step too far for this squad in the immediate future, they are clearly heading in a positive direction. Resolving the striker role, perhaps with Joao Pedro or Liam Delap stepping up, would accelerate Chelsea`s return to the very top. Nevertheless, the Club World Cup has provided clear evidence that the Blues are on the right path.
