Chelsea’s Club World Cup win has renewed the team’s hope for success
Fans and players are also hoping that the momentum generated by the Club World Cup triumph, rounded off in style with a 3-0 drubbing of European champions Paris St Germain in the final, will carry over into the domestic campaign. “I said at the start of this tournament that our plan is to win it, and people looked at me as if I was crazy,” defender Levi Colwill told reporters after the victory over PSG in July.
“I’m going to say the exact same thing now, going into the Premier League and Champions League. I think we’re ready.” – Levi Colwill
With the exception of the indefatigable Cucurella, they were spared many of the matches in UEFA’s third-tier Conference League competition, which Chelsea also won, beating Real Betis 4-1 in the final in May. But they will not be given many nights off in the elite Champions League this season. Joining Maresca’s group of core players are high-profile attackers in the shape of Brazil’s Joao Pedro and England’s Rory Delap, backed up by new winger Jamie Gittens, signed from Brighton & Hove Albion, Ipswich Town, and Borussia Dortmund.
Chelsea has plans to sign even more new players ahead of the new season
Brazilian playmaker Estevao Willian – who scored a consolation goal for Palmeiras against Chelsea in the Club World Cup and already has five caps for Brazil at the age of 18 – will begin his Premier League apprenticeship under Palmer. Netherlands defender Jorrel Hato will be an option to replace the injured Colwill in central defence or give Cucurella a break at left back, having played in both positions for Ajax Amsterdam.
All of the new arrivals are either teenagers or in their early 20s – Joao Pedro is the oldest at 23 – as the club doubles down on its strategy of buying young talent. Chelsea’s squad last season was the youngest in the Premier League’s history. Chelsea are also reportedly seeking to sign winger Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United and RB Leipzig’s Dutch midfielder Xavi Simons. British media have also said PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma could be on their list too.
To offset the cost of adding to a squad bigger than that of any of their main rivals, the Blues have raised about 200 million pounds ($268.76 million) by selling players including:
- Djordje Petrovic and Kepa Arrizabalaga to Bournemouth and Arsenal
- Noni Madueke and Joao Felix to Arsenal and Al-Nassr
- Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Everton,
- Armando Broja to Burnley.
Chelsea’s US trip produces results both on and off the field
Striker Nicolas Jackson, defenders Axel Disasi and Ben Chilwell, and winger Raheem Sterling may also leave before the start of the new season, further helping to offset the cost of the summer’s shopping spree. The Club World Cup prize money of around 85 million pounds will also be a big help for Stamford Bridge’s money men as they try to keep the big-spending Blues on the right side of financial rules. Chelsea are also reportedly close to signing a new shirt sponsorship deal that could be bumped up in value by their success in the United States over the summer.
Coaches Database/Reuters
