Chelsea return to the Club World Cup aiming to lift the trophy for a second time, arriving in strong form after securing their first title of the Clearlake era and clinching a top-four Premier League finish. With a settled squad and growing confidence under Enzo Maresca, expectations are rising in West London.
1) Who will Chelsea face at the Club World Cup?
Chelsea have been drawn into Group D and these are their group stage fixtures:
16 June: vs LAFC. Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta.
20 June: vs Flamengo. Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia.
24 June: vs Espérance Sportive de Tunis. Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia.
2) Abramovich's transformational ownership
In the first 100 years of Chelsea's history, after being founded in 1905, they won ten major honours, their sole top division title during this period coming under Ted Drake in 1955.
Well, following Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich's takeover of the club in 2003, everything changed, capturing 19 trophies between 2005 and 2019, including five Premier League titles.
3) Chelsea's Champions League success
During this glory period, Chelsea's holy grail was the Champions League, defeated in the semi-finals in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2009, most-notably losing the 2008 final to Manchester United on penalties in Moscow. They did finally get their hands on the trophy in 2012, defeating Bayern Munich in another shootout. The Blues then claimed their second European crown in 2021, beating Manchester City 1-0 in Porto, a triumph that earned them their place at this summer's Club World Cup.
4) A season of progress
It is now eight years since Chelsea were last crowned Premier League champions, but there are signs that the glory years could soon be returning to Stamford Bridge, three years on from Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital's takeover.
In the Premier League, the Blues ended up fourth, their highest finish in three seasons, securing Champions League qualification by virtue of a 1-0 final day victory over Nottingham Forest.
Three days later, Chelsea secured their first silverware of the Clearlake-era, fighting back from a goal down to defeat Real Betis 4-1 in the UEFA Conference League Final. Cole Palmer was the star of the show in Wrocław, setting up Enzo Fernández and then Nicolas Jackson for two quick-fire goals, before Jadon Sancho and Moisés Caicedo were on target late on the rubber stamp victory.
5) Past Club World Cup expirence
This will be Chelsea's third appearance at the Club World Cup, boasting a mixed record so far.
On debut in 2012, they ousted Monterrey in the semi-finals, but were then beaten 1-0 by Corinthians in Yokohama, this the most-recent time a European team has failed to win the competition. In February 2022, the Blues did belatedly get their hands on the trophy, overcoming Al-Hilal in the semi-finals, before just about defeating Palmeiras 2-1 after extra time in the final in Abu Dhabi.
6) Chelsea players to watch: Cole Palmer
Cole Palmer is undisputed the star figure of this modern-day Chelsea team.
Since arriving in West London two summers ago, Palmer has made 91 appearances for the Blues, scoring 40 goals and registering 27 assists. He bagged four during home wins over Everton and Brighton in 2024 and, even though the goals have somewhat dried up since New Year's Day, his second half display in the recent Conference League Final underlines Palmer's importance.
7) Chelsea players to watch: Nicolas Jackson
While Palmer is the creator in chief, Nicolas Jackson will be spearheading the Blues' attack.
His go-ahead goal in Wrocław last month was the Senegalese international's 30th for the club, getting into double figures in the Premier League during both of his campaigns in West London. Many believe Chelsea are still searching for a top-class number nine, the arrival of Liam Delap underlining that the hierarchy agree, so Jackson will be determined to prove his worth stateside this summer.
8) Chelsea players to watch: Marc Cucurella
At the other end of the field, Marc Cucurella has very much been one of Chelsea's standout performers throughout the campaign. The Spanish left-back scored seven goals across all competitions, including winners against Brentford, Leicester and Manchester United. Now, having won the Euros with Spain last July, can he lead his team to Club World Cup glory this summer?
9) Manager Enzo Maresca: chasing more silverware
As outlined earlier, it's been an impressive season for Chelsea, with Champions League qualification ensuring Enzo Maresca will remain in charge. This means the Italian is the longest-serving manager of the Clearlake-era, after Mauricio Pochettino only lasted one season in the job.
When the Blues were struggling for form in January and February, some supporters were questioning Maresca's future, bemoaning his cautious and slow style of play. Now though, having delivered a top four finish and silverware too, could he lead Chelsea to further glory this summer?
10) Could Chelsea go all the way?
Chelsea commence their Club World Cup campaign against LAFC in Atlanta, before facing Flamengo and then Espérance de Tunis in Philadelphia.
Thus, the Blues are very much favourites to top Group D and have to be considered amongst the favourites to pick up the trophy on 13 July, even if they're on course for a mouthwatering quarter-final showdown with either Atlético Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.