Championship candidate

After winning the 2024/25 UEFA Conference League, Chelsea are aiming for another historic milestone: winning the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Under the leadership of Enzo Maresca, The Blues have changed dramatically in terms of playing style, identity and even their mentality to compete for titles.

CFC - Chelsea.jpg
Chelsea are the number 1 candidate for the Club World Cup championship. Photo: CFC

Now, they are not only in the US to participate in the tournament that gathers champions, but also the leading candidate for the world throne at club level.

Chelsea's rise in this year's tournament came not only from their consistent form, but also from unexpected changes in the round of 16. Both Inter Milan and Man City were eliminated early.

Fluminense defeated Inter, while Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal created an earthquake when they defeated Man City after 120 breathless minutes .

These results make Chelsea’s draw much easier. Instead of facing European giants in the quarter-finals or semi-finals, they only need to overcome Palmeiras (8am on July 5) – a familiar but no longer formidable South American representative – and then Fluminense or Al Hilal.

According to the Opta Supercomputer simulation, Chelsea have a 74.8% chance of reaching the semi-finals, a 57.9% chance of reaching the final and a 26.8% probability of lifting the trophy – the highest of the eight remaining teams in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup .

The presence of Enzo Maresca on the bench is one of the keys to Chelsea's strong revival.

The Italian tactician – influenced by Pep Guardiola – has not only built a controlled and fluid style of play, but has also brought stability to the dressing room, something Chelsea have lacked since Thomas Tuchel.

CFC - Enzo Maresca.jpg
Enzo Maresca makes a strong impression. Photo: CFC

After winning the Conference League, Maresca made no secret of his ambition to help Chelsea return to the elite group of Europe and the world.

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is his chance to take the team a step further on the road to revival. Young leaders like Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez bring a strong and effective fighting spirit.

"Blockbuster" Joao Pedro

Another factor that makes Chelsea formidable is the transfer of Joao Pedro from Brighton for 70 million euros.

Thanks to FIFA's special Club World Cup rules – allowing teams to add up to two players after the round of 16 – Chelsea were able to complete the deal quickly and register the Brazilian in time for the quarter-final against Palmeiras. The Blues were the only team to make this move.

Joao Pedro is no stranger to Chelsea. From being an opponent, he has now become a teammate of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, and is expected to become a strategic card in Maresca's hands.

“ I grew up watching the Premier League, and Chelsea is a club that wins a lot of trophies. So when you join Chelsea, you can only think about one thing: winning a lot of trophies,” the Brazilian player shared.

CFC - Joao Pedro Chelsea.jpg
Joao Pedro helps increase Chelsea's attacking options. Photo: CFC

Joao Pedro – with 10 goals in the Premier League last season – promises to bring speed, technique and the ability to create breakthroughs in attack.

The 23-year-old is a modern-day “number 9”, capable of operating on either wing or dropping deep, linking up positions and providing flexibility for the team's play.

With the Conference League – their first title after three years of blanks – Chelsea are on the right track to regain their status as a “giant” in world football.

If they win the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, it will be a resounding victory for Maresca and will boost Chelsea's morale for the new 2025/26 season. The Blues have every reason to believe in a new cycle of success.

From being an unstable and doubtful team, Chelsea have now become genuine challengers for titles.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/chelsea-co-bom-tan-joao-pedro-cho-vo-dich-fifa-club-world-cup-2417800.html