Football belongs to the players. This is a saying that has been around for years and includes the coaches – most of whom have come from the grassroots and know how to make a team work.
A clear example is being experienced by Chelsea. The London club are in the semi-finals of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and are aiming for the final, a goal that seemed far-fetched when the tournament began.
The instability that has plagued The Blues this season has left the situation a mystery.
Chelsea are likely to win the UEFA Conference League by playing with substitutes all season, or struggle to qualify for the Champions League in the Premier League.
There is one factor that has made all the difference, however: Enzo Maresca. The Italian coach has managed to bring order to a club that has long been in turmoil.
Since Todd Boehly took over as owner, the Stamford Bridge outfit have spent €1.61bn in three years (they've also sold a lot to balance the books).
The massive spending spree brought a variety of players to Stamford Bridge. At one point, Chelsea's squad exceeded 30 men and included eight goalkeepers.
But Maresca, Guardiola's former assistant and look-alike, has made his mark from the bench.
With a fresh style and dynamic, versatile players, Chelsea are having a great Club World Cup. They are playing well and competitively, as they showed against Palmeiras.
Chelsea's opponent this time is another Brazilian representative - Fluminense, the 2024 Copa Libertadores champion.
If Chelsea represents youth, Fluminense relies more on experience, with leader Thiago Silva commanding the defense, or German Cano – the 37-year-old Argentine striker.
Fluminense drew goalless with Dortmund; defeated Inter Milan 2-0 in the round of 16, as well as eliminated the "Asian Real Madrid" Al Hilal in the quarter-finals.
Opta's computer estimates, based on 10,000 simulated matches, that Chelsea have an 81.3% chance of reaching the final, while Fluminense's chance is just 18.7%.
If calculated in 90 minutes, Chelsea's winning rate is predicted to be 69.1%, with Fluminense's 12.8%.
However, without Liam Delap and Colwill due to suspension, Chelsea promise a tough match. MetLife Stadium awaits a fiery performance from two contrasting styles.
Force:
Fluminense: Juan Freytes, Rene, Martinelli are suspended.
Chelsea: Wesley Fofana, Kellyman injured; Delap and Colwill suspended.
Expected lineup:
Fluminense (3-5-2): Fabio; Ignacio, Silva, Fuentes; Xavier, Hercules, Bernal, Nonato, Fuentes ; Arias, Cano .
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Robert Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; Fernandez, Moises Caicedo; Pedro Neto, Palmer, Nkunku; Joao Pedro .
Match odds: Chelsea handicap 3/4
Goal Odds: 2 1/4
Prediction: Draw 1-1 (Chelsea win 2-1 in extra time) .
Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/nhan-dinh-bong-da-fluminense-vs-chelsea-ban-ket-fifa-club-world-cup-2419219.html
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