Chelsea Reaches Club World Cup Final
Chelsea has secured their place in the Club World Cup final after defeating Fluminense 2-0 on Tuesday. The impressive run of the Brazilian side concluded against a Chelsea team featuring one of Fluminense`s own youth products, Joao Pedro. Stepping in for the suspended Liam Delap, Joao Pedro delivered a dazzling performance with his finishes, propelling Chelsea into the final. He will now face either Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid. This victory marks a promising start to his Chelsea career. Pardeep Cattry notes that moments like this justify Joao Pedro`s signing:
- Cattry: `Chelsea signed the 23-year-old exactly for moments like this, with manager Enzo Maresca explaining pre-match that he views Joao Pedro as someone who can play across the front line and could be one of the `four, five players scoring 10, 12 goals each [rather] than just one striker [who can] score 40 goals.` It is perhaps the most logical way to explain the Blues` transfer strategy, since they literally have 20 attackers on the roster right now. Maresca`s desire to have goals from multiple sources is practical, maybe even downright necessary as they spend next season in the UEFA Champions League. Even if they offload a few, though, Chelsea`s current situation means there will be incredible competition for playing time over the course of the next season – and Joao Pedro is wasting no time rising to the top of the pack.`
Joao Pedro, who joined Fluminense`s academy at age 10 and debuted professionally in 2019, previously played in England for Watford and Brighton. He now aims to be a key player for Chelsea, presenting difficult selection choices for manager Enzo Maresca. Another connection between the clubs was former Chelsea defender Thiago Silva, who captained Fluminense in the tournament. Despite financial limitations leading them to be labeled `ugly ducklings`, Fluminense`s journey to the semifinals was memorable.
While the tournament saw strong South American fan presence, the European powerhouses are now dominating as it reaches its climax. Chelsea seeks to re-establish themselves among Europe`s elite. Having missed the Champions League since 2022-23, their return next season could be marked perfectly by winning the Club World Cup. They previously won the competition in its earlier format in 2021 against Palmeiras and could add this trophy to their 2024-25 haul, having already won the UEFA Conference League.
Kylian Mbappe and Paris Saint-Germain Square Off
The highly anticipated second semifinal features reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain taking on Real Madrid. PSG, managed by Luis Enrique, have largely dominated their opponents in the tournament, overcoming an early stumble against Botafogo. However, facing Real Madrid, especially with Kylian Mbappe now wearing the white shirt, is expected to be an emotionally charged encounter.
Despite Mbappe`s departure on a free transfer in the summer of 2024, PSG achieved their primary objective by winning the Champions League. Mbappe, the club`s all-time top scorer and one of their greatest attackers, had a turbulent exit, but PSG manager Luis Enrique isn`t focused on the past as they prepare to face him. As Cattry notes, there`s no need to dwell on his departure now that PSG has reached the pinnacle of European soccer.
- Cattry: `The PSG manager, like many, refrains from speaking about other teams` players at length, but Mbappe also feels like old news at this point for the French champions. Since his departure, PSG have a new look that was the foundation of their run to win the trophy that once eluded them and still escapes Mbappe`s reach — the UEFA Champions League. Enrique and his players have spent the last few days going back and forth debating who made the secret sauce, the players choosing him and him picking the players in return. Things are as nice as they could be for PSG, France`s first treble winners who are now the team to beat at the Club World Cup.`
Mbappe has had a challenging tournament personally, missing early matches due to acute gastroenteritis which required hospitalization, only featuring from the knockout rounds. His absence allowed coach Xabi Alonso to evaluate other players like Gonzalo Garcia, who impressed with four goals and an assist. However, in a crucial match like this against PSG, Real Madrid will need Mbappe at his absolute best.
