Chelsea’s Pursuit of the Club World Cup
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has emphasized that the club does not feel any financial strain regarding their pursuit of the Club World Cup, despite the enticing prize of £97 million (approximately $130 million) for the championship. The team is currently preparing for a crucial match against Esperance de Tunis in Philadelphia on Tuesday, where a draw is necessary to secure their position as the second team in Group D and progress to the knockout stage. For participating in the tournament, which comprises 32 teams, Chelsea is expected to earn about £40 million, with the prize money significantly rising during the later rounds.
Financial Transactions Under Scrutiny
While Chelsea has successfully adhered to the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules for the 2023-24 season, it is notable that recent financial transactions have raised eyebrows. The club sold its Copthorne and Millennium hotels located at Stamford Bridge to a related company for £76.5 million—a move that has sparked controversy and is currently under scrutiny by UEFA in relation to Financial Fair Play guidelines. Furthermore, Chelsea recently transferred their women’s team to parent entity BlueCo for a remarkable fee of £200 million, a record sum in women’s football.
Club Vision and Team Focus
Under the ownership of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital since May 2022, Chelsea has made substantial investments, totaling over £1.2 billion on new signings. However, Maresca assured that there are no discussions about the financial implications of winning the Club World Cup.
“The owners prioritize the overall success of the club and the team in every match we play. They are not focused on the financial rewards of victory and have never pressured me or the players regarding the financial stakes of this tournament,”
Maresca stated. He emphasized that the objective is to win for all stakeholders involved—fans, players, and the club itself—rather than for monetary gain.
Impact on Training
On a different note, the team’s training session on Monday was impacted by Reece James’s absence due to illness, coinciding with a heatwave pushing temperatures in Philadelphia close to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
