A New-Look Chelsea
Beating PSG—the strongest team in Europe at the moment—did more than bring global glory. It sent a clear message: Chelsea have transformed. No longer the disjointed, money-soaked project of recent seasons, the Blues now resemble a team with structure, purpose and identity.
At the heart of this revival is Cole Palmer, the poster boy of Chelsea’s new generation. Talented and decisive, Palmer bagged two goals and an assist in the Club World Cup final, seizing the spotlight with confidence.
His partner in attack, João Pedro, a summer signing, proved to be a tactical gem—linking play and offering flair. Even when Pedro was subbed off, his replacement—Liam Delap—brought energy and threat, showcasing the attacking depth Chelsea once lacked.
Maresca’s Tactical Masterclass
But the biggest change lies on the touchline. Maresca faced skepticism upon arrival, yet match by match—especially in the Club World Cup—he has shown tactical maturity and calm authority.
Against PSG, he tweaked the formation by moving Reece James centrally beside Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, countering PSG’s midfield trio with tactical precision. It was a pivotal move that neutralized PSG’s threat and helped Chelsea control the game.
Maresca once compared football to chess—and in this case, he checkmated Luis Enrique. If he can outwit a tactical mind like Enrique, then duels with Guardiola, Arteta or Slot in the Premier League shouldn’t intimidate him.
Club World Cup Is a Milestone—But the League Is the Real Test
Under their new owners, Chelsea have spent over £1 billion and collected nearly every major trophy: Champions League, Europa League, Super Cup, Conference League, and now two Club World Cups.
Yet, the Premier League remains the missing piece—and the one fans crave most. It’s more than a title; it’s a statement of domestic dominance and a symbol that Chelsea have truly returned.
While chairman Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital may see the global trophy as a branding milestone, fans won’t be satisfied until the Premier League trophy is lifted again at Stamford Bridge.
The Road Ahead
There are still issues to fix—particularly in defense. But Chelsea’s resilience against PSG was encouraging. Robert Sanchez held his own between the posts, the backline kept tight spacing, and the Caicedo-Fernandez midfield axis worked like clockwork.
With a firing frontline, a flexible tactician and a maturing squad, Chelsea have the tools to mount a serious Premier League title challenge.
Rivals like Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City will surely have taken note of the warning Chelsea just issued from the United States. And if they can maintain consistency—a quality they’ve lacked in recent seasons—the Blues may well reclaim the crown of English football.
Winning the Club World Cup might be the final piece of silverware in the collection, but for this Chelsea, it marks the start of something new—a more pragmatic, mature and ambitious era. From the top of the world, Chelsea now march toward the top of England—and this time, they just might be ready.