A new chapter for Chelsea Football Club begins today as they face Los Angeles FC in their opening match of the revamped FIFA Club World Cup. All eyes will be on new manager Enzo Maresca, who takes charge of his first competitive tournament with the Blues, fresh from their UEFA Conference League triumph last season.
The Italian manager, who replaced Mauricio Pochettino in the off-season, has emphasized that this tournament is a serious objective for the club. "We are not here for pre-season, it's a big, big tournament," Maresca stated in a recent press conference, underlining his ambition to add more silverware to the Stamford Bridge trophy cabinet.
Chelsea's squad for the tournament includes a mix of established stars and new faces. Recent signings Liam Delap, Mamadou Sarr, and Dario Essugo are all in contention to make their debuts for the club. The Blues will be looking to the likes of Cole Palmer, who was instrumental in their successes last season, to provide the creative spark.
The London club enters the tournament on the bChelsea Kick Off New Era Under Maresca in FIFA Club World Cup Opener | Newsack of a victorious end to their last campaign, where they lifted the UEFA Conference League trophy. That victory secured their place in this expanded Club World Cup, and they will be keen to build on that momentum.
In transfer news, Chelsea has been active in the market. While the club has already secured the services of Delap, Sarr, and Essugo, rumors continue to swirl around potential big-name signings. Napoli's Victor Osimhen is a name that has been persistently linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, though the club was reportedly rebuffed in an approach for Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Gittens.
On the injury front, Chelsea will be without long-term absentees Wesley Fofana and Omari Kellyman. However, the squad that has traveled to the United States is otherwise looking fit and ready for the challenges ahead.
Tonight's match against LAFC at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta will be the first test of Maresca's tactical approach with his new side. Chelsea will then face Brazilian giants Flamengo and Tunisian side ES Tunis in their other group stage fixtures. A strong performance in this tournament would be the perfect start to the Maresca era and a clear statement of intent for the upcoming Premier League season.
