New Delhi: Only 2 of the 32 teams that started the tournament on June 15 are left. The FIFA World Cup precursor has run its course, albeit with problems, leading up to an eventful end.European champions Paris Saint-Germain take on a new-look Chelsea in the final of the revamped Club World Cup. As the French champions face off against Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea, both teams have what it takes to win it. Star power, new signings, and a thirst to win more – Sunday’s final will crown the ‘best club in the world.’
Do Maresca’s Blues have what it takes?
Chelsea started the tournament in a group that included Flamengo, ES Tunis, and Los Angeles FC. Barring a surprising 3-1 loss to Flamengo in the group stage, Chelsea made it to the knockouts without much concern.Benfica, Palmeiras, and then Fluminense in the semis could not deter the Premier League side from reaching yet another final, after their UEFA Conference League triumph against Real Betis.Maresca hasn’t hesitated to play his new signings at the tournament either. Latest signing João Pedro scored a stunning brace in the semis, and this ‘young’ squad isn’t slowing down anytime soon.While many would argue that the side did not have a particularly difficult run to the final, on paper, Chelsea have the firepower to challenge Luis Enrique’s men. An in-form Pedro Neto, João Pedro, and Cole Palmer all breathe confidence into the English side.
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However, Chelsea’s run to the final has had its own challenges. The fact remains that they have conceded goals in every stage of the tournament. The 3-1 loss to Flamengo, in particular, was the most eyebrow-raising moment of their campaign.Despite a shortened pre-season and injury risks, the Blues have already pocketed close to £80m from the tournament’s $1 billion prize pool.Palmer and João Pedro are Chelsea’s best hopes for goals in the final, but an injury scare looms large. Moises Caicedo, who picked up a knock in the semi-final, is crucial to the side’s chances against PSG. Maresca, ahead of the final, stated that he “hopes” the midfielder will be available for Sunday.
PSG to top off a ‘perfect’ season?
From a team that lost its biggest star in Kylian Mbappé last season to Luis Enrique building a side that refuses to yield, PSG’s rampant form this season has been underlined by 4-0 wins over Inter Miami and Real Madrid in the knockouts, as part of a 16-goal campaign en route to the final.After dominant runs in the Champions League and Ligue 1, topping off the year with the Club World Cup will only add to this new-look PSG’s legacy, with the prefix ‘World Champions’ until the tournament returns in 2029.On paper, PSG are clearly the better side heading into the final. With commanding wins over nearly every team they’ve faced in the competition, the 5-0 win over Inter Milan in the Champions League final only reinforces what the Parisians are capable of when in flow state.Ousmane Dembélé has evolved into the spearhead and star of this PSG side, with the flashy Désiré Doué, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Fabián Ruiz all adding to Chelsea’s headache. And their worries don’t end there. Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi further compound Chelsea’s list of troubles.With PSG relying on their marvelous midfield trio of Vitinha, Ruiz, and João Neves, Chelsea’s challenge will be to get the upper hand in midfield. Adding to their concerns will be the hard-running wing-backs Mendes and Hakimi, who pose a massive threat to Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella and his counterpart on the right – whether it’s Reece James or Malo Gusto.With form and precedent leaning toward the French side, the Club World Cup final beckons. Can Chelsea pull off an upset, or will the Parisians prove their mettle once again?
