Despite sweltering 100-degree Fahrenheit conditions in Philadelphia, Chelsea successfully navigated their Club World Cup fixture, securing a 3-0 win against Esperance De Tunisie on Tuesday night. The Blues required only a single point to guarantee their spot in the Round of 16. Even with manager Enzo Maresca making significant changes to the lineup following a disappointing prior result against Flamengo, the team professionally completed the task.
In tournaments like the Club World Cup, sometimes the objective is simply survival and advancement. While achieving this late in a demanding season can be challenging, the chance to compete for a trophy provides a clear incentive for players to sharpen their focus.
Although some observers might dismiss the Club World Cup as merely a series of exhibition matches, this perspective is not shared by the players, especially as the knockout rounds approach. Chelsea was determined to qualify for the next stage, even with some players having already participated in over 50 matches during a season that saw them win the Europa Conference League and secure qualification for the upcoming Champions League campaign.
This expanded tournament format finds its place in the summer schedule. While concerns about the cumulative workload on players remain valid, these thoughts take a backseat during matches as the possibility of achieving glory with each victory grows stronger.
“We`re not treating this as a preseason, this is just another competition at the back end of a regular season, and it`s a big competition that we want to push in,” commented Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo after the match.
The tournament provides valuable opportunities that mere friendlies would not. New signings, like Liam Delap, can integrate into the squad, young players can demonstrate their readiness for higher levels, and every member of the team can strive to prove to Enzo Maresca that they warrant a place in Chelsea`s Champions League rotation next season. Last season was unusual, allowing Chelsea to field almost two distinct squads – one primarily for the Conference League and another for Premier League starters. The upcoming season will necessitate a more unified, standard squad structure.
This situation may lead to some players currently with the team in the United States being moved on, while additional new players might join. Such transitions are part and parcel of professional football. However, the immediate focus is squarely on competing for another piece of silverware as the 2024-25 season concludes. A well-deserved break awaits after the tournament, which will undoubtedly be more enjoyable following further trophy success.
As Chelsea`s Benoit Badiashile succinctly put it:
“When you have the chance to play in the Club World Cup, you have to give 100%.”
If the Blues hadn`t given their full effort, they likely would have struggled against Esperance, who benefited from vocal support from their travelling fans. Playing against opposition genuinely striving for victory, where matches aren`t just training exercises ending in predetermined penalty shootouts, is crucial. While official preseason tournaments attempt to replicate this competitive spirit, they often cannot entirely shed their exhibition nature.
The Club World Cup differs in this regard. While its expansion has prompted debate about the inclusion of certain clubs – evidenced by teams like Inter Miami reaching the Round of 16, Botafogo defeating Paris Saint-Germain, and even semi-professional Auckland City FC earning a point while established sides like Atletico Madrid and Porto exited in the group stage – it has become clear that this is a tournament where teams will face defeat if they fail to give maximum effort.
Furthermore, the unique transfer window preceding the tournament, allowing teams to bring in new players such as Chelsea signing Liam Delap from Ipswich Town, creates a potentially ideal scenario for arrivals. Delap has stepped in effectively for the suspended Nicolas Jackson, scoring his first goal for Chelsea. With each passing day, his case for being the starting number nine when the new Premier League season commences strengthens – a progression that might not have unfolded so rapidly without this tournament.
“This tournament has really helped me settle in because you know if we`re back at the training ground, everyone would be disappearing at three o`clock,” Delap explained. “And here we`re together all the time, so it`s a great way to get settled in, and everyone`s been really helpful.”
Spending extended periods together, and for some teams seeking respite from the heat, players and substitutes bonding in the locker rooms during matches, fosters team cohesion and accelerates the adjustment period for new team members. The tangible reward of a significant trophy at the end provides substantial motivation on its own.
“That`s why I came to this club,” Delap stated. “That`s why I started playing football, to play on big stages like this, so I`m really excited.”
Not every player will share the perspective of a 22-year-old eager to make his mark, but this general attitude appears prevalent among teams participating in the tournament so far. No team wants to lose these matches, and even if prize money is a factor, the competitive desire is real. Fans of non-European clubs have travelled in large numbers to support their teams, which also benefits European sides by exposing them to challenging atmospheres against unfamiliar opponents.
Only time will reveal whether this competitive preparation provides an advantage compared to clubs undergoing a more conventional offseason. However, at this moment, every team here is focused and ready to fight for the CWC trophy.
