Chelsea’s Club World Cup Journey: Heat, Debuts, and a Shot at Glory

Delap Impresses as Chelsea Advance to Knockouts

Chelsea have reached the last 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup, overcoming extreme heat, tactical setbacks, and a demanding schedule. The Blues have already earned £28 million in prize money and are on track to recoup the £30 million spent on striker Liam Delap, who joined from Ipswich earlier this month.

Delap has made an instant impact, scoring once and assisting once in his first three appearances. His debut against LAFC saw him set up Enzo Fernández’s goal in a 2-0 win. After a quiet outing against Flamengo, he bounced back with a composed finish in the final group game against ES Tunis.

Manager Enzo Maresca praised Delap’s quick adaptation: > “We expected the process to be quick with Liam because we know him and he knows us.”

Winger Pedro Neto also stood out, scoring in both of Chelsea’s wins with his trademark pace and dribbling. Fernández added a goal and two assists, continuing his strong form from last season.

Setbacks, Suspensions & South American Wake-Up Call

Chelsea’s only group-stage loss came against Flamengo, where a six-minute collapse saw them concede twice and lose Nicolas Jackson to a red card. The striker, who had just come on for Delap, was later handed a two-match ban by FIFA.

The defeat served as a reality check, with one source calling it a “wake-up call” about the intensity of South American opposition, who are mid-season and match-fit.

Chelsea will face Benfica in the round of 16 after finishing second in Group D. If they progress, they could meet Palmeiras or Botafogo in the quarter-finals.

Extreme Heat, Travel Woes & Financial Windfall

Chelsea’s base in Philadelphia has been hit by record-breaking heat, with temperatures soaring to 40°C. Training sessions have been shortened, with cooling fans and hydration breaks becoming essential.

The team will now travel 750 miles south to Charlotte for their clash with Benfica, before potentially relocating to New York for the later stages.

Despite the challenges, Chelsea are enjoying a financial boost. They’ve earned:

• $38M for qualifying
• $4M from two group-stage wins
• $7.5M for reaching the last 16

If they reach the final and win, they could pocket up to $104 million, making the Club World Cup one of the most lucrative tournaments in football.

Fan Reactions: Mixed Feelings on Format & Pricing

While the tournament has been a success financially, fans have voiced concerns.

• Bharat, from the Philly Blues, praised the organisation but noted concerns about player welfare.
• Cathy, a UK-based fan who hasn’t missed an away game in 47 years, criticized the high ticket prices and limited appeal of some matchups.

Chelsea have allocated 500 lower-tier tickets at $153 and 466 value-tier tickets at $35 for the Benfica match.