Despite the scorching 100-degree Fahrenheit heat in Philadelphia, Chelsea effectively achieved their objectives, defeating Esperance De Tunisie 3-0 on Tuesday night. The Blues required just a point to confirm their progression to the round of 16. Even with Enzo Maresca rotating much of the squad following a disappointing loss to Flamengo, the team successfully got the job done. In tournaments like the Club World Cup, sometimes merely surviving and advancing is key. While this can be demanding at the close of an arduous season, the lure of a trophy helps teams regain focus.
Some observers might view the Club World Cup as little more than exhibition matches, but this perspective is not shared by the players, especially as the knockout phase approaches. Chelsea was determined to ensure qualification for the next stage, even after some players had already featured in over 50 matches for the club during a season that saw them win the Europa Conference League and secure Champions League football.
This expanded competition holds a place in the summer football calendar. Although concerns about player workload remain, these thoughts are secondary during matches as the potential for achieving glory with each win becomes more tangible.
“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,” Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo commented after the game.
From integrating new signings like Liam Delap to providing younger talents a platform to demonstrate their readiness for the next level, and with every player looking to impress Enzo Maresca for a place in Chelsea`s Champions League squad next season, there`s significant motivation in this tournament that friendly games simply don`t offer. Last season was somewhat unique, allowing Chelsea to field almost two distinct squads – one for the Conference League and another for Premier League fixtures. However, in the upcoming season, a more standard squad rotation will be necessary.
This situation might lead to some players currently with the team in the United States potentially moving on, while new acquisitions may arrive. Such is the nature of professional football. However, the immediate focus is not on transfers but on pursuing another trophy as the 2024-25 season concludes. Holidays will follow, but they will undoubtedly be more enjoyable with more silverware.
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%.”
Had the Blues not given their maximum effort, they likely would have struggled against Esperance, who received passionate backing from their supporters during the match. Facing opponents where everyone is genuinely competing to win, unlike matches where outcomes are less critical, is crucial. While typical preseason tournaments attempt to replicate this competitive environment, they ultimately cannot escape the fundamental fact that they are preseason fixtures.
The Club World Cup is different. While its expansion has sparked debate regarding the participation of certain clubs – with Inter Miami advancing to the round of 16, Botafogo defeating Paris Saint-Germain, and even semi-professional Auckland City FC earning a point, while established teams like Atletico Madrid and Porto exited in the group stage – it highlights that this is a tournament where teams will falter if they don`t commit fully.
Furthermore, the dedicated transfer window for this tournament, enabling moves such as Chelsea signing Liam Delap from Ipswich Town, presents an ideal scenario for new players to settle in. Delap has stepped in for the suspended Nicolas Jackson, scored his first goal for Chelsea, and is progressively strengthening his case to be the starting number nine when the new Premier League campaign begins. This rapid development might not have been possible 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 extensive time together as a squad, and in some cases, substitutes even staying in the locker rooms during matches to cope with the heat, fosters additional bonding opportunities. This helps accelerate the adjustment period for new players joining a club. And the presence of a genuine trophy at the end provides its own powerful incentive.
“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 establish himself in the squad, but this competitive outlook has been prevalent among participating teams so far. Nobody wants to lose these games; even the prize money serves as a significant motivator. Fans of non-European clubs have traveled in large numbers to support their teams, which in turn offers European sides valuable experience playing in challenging atmospheres against unfamiliar opposition.
Only time will reveal whether this experience provides a tangible advantage compared to clubs undergoing a traditional offseason. However, at this moment, all teams involved are clearly motivated to compete for the Club World Cup trophy.
