The thirteenth in our continuing series highlighting all thirty-two clubs in the FIFA Club World Cup, which starts on June 14th. Ooh… I hope that’s lucky.

Club Background

• Recent Form:
  • Finished fourth in the Premier League.
    • This was their first time qualifying for the Champions League since the 2021-22 season, but despite this milestone, many felt the season wasn’t as successful as it could have been.
  • They won the Europa League title by defeating Real Betis 5 – 1.
• Facts: 
  • Founded in 1905.
  • In terms of domestic trophies, they are the fifth most successful in England (one win behind Manchester City).
  • The club reportedly spent over £1 billion in transfer fees in the two years after Clear Lake Capital purchased the club in 2022.
  • Since the “special” transfer window opened on June 1 they’ve signed three new players: Liam Delap, Dario Essugo, Geovany Quenda (the latter two from Sporting CP).
  • The team is extremely young, with an average age of only 23.4 years.

The Team

• Manager: Enzo Maresca
  • Maresca had a 19 year professional career in England, Greece and Italy with ten different clubs.
  • Chelsea is the first club Maresca has managed in a top flight. When he managed Parma and Leicester they were both in the second division.
• Star Players:
  • Cole Palmer
    • His 15g/11a is below last year’s numbers (27g/15a) but still leads the team.
  • Moisés Caicedo
    • 23 year-old box-to-box midfielder and on-field “general”. Played every minute of every game and had 2g/3a last season.
  • Reece James
    • Despite being injury-prone, defender James has a knack for hitting the big goals at critical moments.
• Young Players:
  • Liam Delap
    • 22 year-old striker, newly signed on June 4.
    • Delap moved over from the relegated Ipswich Town, where he produced 12g/2a and was one of the bright spots in an otherwise dismal campaign.
  • Roméo Lavia
    • Yet another Manchester City academy product (see a trend?), this Belgian midfielder has been sidelined since late November by injury.
    • Since his May return he’s looked sharp and should make an impact.
• Training Sites:
  • Philadelphia Union Training Facility, Chester, PA
  • Nova Southeastern University, Davie, FL

When to Watch

• 3:00pm ET on Jun 16, 2025 vs. LAFC @ Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
• 2:00pm ET on Jun 20, 2025 vs. Flamengo @ Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA
• 9:00pm ET on Jun 24, 2025 vs. Espérance de Tunis @ Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA

The Hooligan Take

For a team that finished fourth, there are many areas on the squad that need addressing. Chelsea suffered from a true goal-scoring threat up top… neither Nicholas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku or Raheem Stirling could find consistent form. In the back, goalkeeping remains a headache. They loaned the most expensive keeper in the world (Kepa Arrizabalaga) to Bournemouth, and his replacements Robert Sánchez and Filip Jørgensen have failed to impress. Their midfield and defense are world-class, and if they can fix that front and back they’ll be a force. Chelsea will definitely advance out of Group D. 

Other Group D Teams

• Espérance de Tunis (CAF/Tunisia)
• Flamengo (CONMEBOL/Brazil)
• LAFC (CONCACAF/U.S.A.)