EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Coming off of lifting the Membership World Cup, there was a noticeable swagger to Levi Cowill and the Chelsea squad. Following a lead-up to the match the place there was an assumption that they’d lose to Paris Saint-Germain, the Blues rolled as much as MetLife Stadium, pressed the Parisians off the pitch, and lifted their second trophy of the season. Colwill summed up issues fairly properly after the match, saying, “That is what Chelsea does, Chelsea wins.”
Whereas that hasn’t been the case lately for the Blues, the Membership World Cup, which they’re going to be capable to level to on their shirts — which nonetheless haven’t got a sponsor — for the following 4 years till the 2029 version of the event. Reserving their return to the Champions League for the primary time for the reason that 2022-23 season, successful the Convention League was an expectation for the Blues, and making the highest 4 of the Premier League was an accomplishment, however in defeating PSG, it felt just like the Chelsea group that competed for main silverware 12 months in and 12 months out was returning, even when it was only for 90 minutes.
“We knew this was our final recreation of soccer for this season, so there is no means we have been going to go on vacation and sit there considering oh, I want I might’ve gave that little bit extra for the group,” Colwill mentioned. “I advised everybody this earlier than the sport, and we went there and gave every little thing, and that is what the scoreline displays, and that is why we wished it.”
Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo lived as much as their value tags, bossing the midfield, Cole Palmer was capable of present why he is among the best gamers within the Premier League, and Marc Cucurella was all over the place. Even Joao Pedro led the road and scored a aim after becoming a member of Chelsea solely 11 days earlier than the ultimate, bringing hope that an impactful 9 has joined for the primary time since Diego Costa’s departure from the membership.
Merely put, there’s rather a lot to love about this Chelsea squad, however there’s additionally rather a lot that must be resolved. With Champions League play on the desk, Enzo Maresca will not be capable to rotate the squad as a lot as he did within the Convention League, the place he deployed nearly two totally completely different squads. It will put extra minutes on everybody’s legs, eradicating one of many best strengths that Chelsea had through the CWC of their freshness in comparison with different groups. Extra transfers will even occur with Noni Madueke probably on the best way out, however the confidence from this event cannot be understated.
Even the gamers talked about how their confidence grew with each win as they continued to consider in themselves, and it helped push the group to victory however when Chelsea’s stature is so massive, it will possibly’t cease there. Chelsea captain Reece James mirrored a bit following the match after his personal robust exhibiting in midfield.
“At the moment confirmed how far our membership has come. We have had a tough few years not competing within the Champions League, and this was the hardest check at present,” James mentioned. “We most likely received a little bit bit of affection with the attracts and stuff within the competitors, and at present was the perfect group that we confronted. We knew it was going to be robust, and I do know the group was prepared, and I believe we confirmed that.”
James’ personal profession has mirrored Chelsea’s struggles with him lacking vital time because of accidents, however one of many advantages of a much bigger squad permits him to rotate extra and be out there for giant video games like this one. That administration will likely be key to how Chelsea carry out this coming season, as will their goalkeeping state of affairs. Milan keeper Mike Maignan was linked to affix the Blues earlier than the Membership World Cup kicked off, and whereas that deal did not undergo, Robert Sanchez confirmed the perfect of what he can do in internet, making six main saves through the last.
Selections like that one will decide how far Chelsea can go over the course of the season, however this success in a knockout event is one thing that may be carried ahead. Knocking that they’ll present up and win consecutive video games in opposition to robust opposition whereas creating completely different recreation plans is crucial. Taking that throughout two legs, if Chelsea advances previous the league section of the Champions League would be the subsequent check for the Blues. It does not appear to be how this squad is at present setup will result in successful the Premier League this coming season, however they’re transferring in the suitable path. Joao Perdo or Liam Delap fixing their problems with who leads the road will speed up Chelsea’s return to the highest, however even when that does not occur in a single day,t the Membership World Cup has proven that the Blues are heading in the right direction.
