Chelsea’s Journey to the Club World Cup Final
After nearly a year since embarking on a pre-season tour in California, Chelsea finds itself back in the U.S. at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, gearing up for the Club World Cup final this Sunday. This match presents the Blues with a chance to claim a historic achievement before a well-deserved break from the grueling football calendar.
Life in New York City
The team has spent the last week staying in a hotel along the prestigious Fifth Avenue in New York City, where the players occasionally ventured out to explore the vibrant atmosphere of Manhattan between their training sessions. A humorous moment was captured when Cole Palmer was seen riding a scooter through Times Square, blissfully unaware that he was largely unrecognized by the surrounding crowd, even as his face loomed in all its glory on a nearby billboard.
Players’ Perspectives on the Final
As they look ahead to the final, players like Marc Cucurella are eager for a short escape afterward. The left-back, who played a pivotal role in Spain’s triumph at the Euro 2024 final against England, is looking forward to a Disney cruise with his family to unwind from the chaos of the season. Despite this, he acknowledges the seriousness of the upcoming match against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), a team currently regarded as among the best globally. Cucurella emphasized the importance of the final, highlighting that the victors would earn the coveted opportunity to wear the champion’s badge for the next two years.
“Winning would be incredible; it’s been tough after such a long season,”
he remarked, acknowledging the challenges of playing in high temperatures and at unaccustomed times. This final marks a pivotal moment for Chelsea, aiming not only to establish themselves in a newly formatted tournament but also to bounce back from a challenging few years.
Cucurella’s Transformation at Chelsea
Cucurella has experienced a significant shift during his time with Chelsea, especially following his expensive transfer from Brighton. Initially criticized for being part of the club’s spending excesses, he has since emerged as a key player, adapting to the constantly changing environment of coaches and team dynamics — from Thomas Tuchel to Graham Potter and now Enzo Maresca.
Reflecting on his struggles early in his Chelsea career, Cucurella admitted that his early months felt more like a burden than a joy due to the club’s lack of identity and clear tactical direction. He revealed how the mounting pressure added to the challenges he faced. His recovery from an ankle injury midway through the last season turned out to be a blessing in disguise, allowing him time to introspect, reassess, and eventually regain his confidence on the field.
“After my injury, that’s when I started to truly enjoy my time here,”
Cucurella stated, recounting how a FA Cup match against Leicester, where he scored, helped reignite his journey. Encouraged by a successful summer where he featured in the European Championship, he feels that the momentum gained towards the end of the last season under Pochettino, along with Maresca’s fresh energy, has reinvigorated the team’s ambitions.
Facing PSG and Looking Ahead
Now, as he prepares to face a talented PSG squad boasting exceptional players like Kylian Mbappé and Achraf Hakimi, Cucurella remains optimistic about Chelsea’s chances. He acknowledged PSG’s high caliber but expressed confidence in Chelsea’s capabilities, emphasizing that the final is an opportunity to demonstrate their growth.
The ongoing Club World Cup, although criticized by some, has exceeded Cucurella’s expectations. He found value in competing at a global level against teams typically encountered only in friendlies. Looking ahead, he shared his thoughts on potential future iterations of the tournament, suggesting a biennial format might be excessive but acknowledged that football fans deserve time between such major events.
Conclusion
As the Chelsea team prepares for this crucial match, the mood contrasts sharply with the more somber atmosphere felt during the winter months. With the chance to make history just one game away, the players are ready to seize the moment before pausing to recharge ahead of the upcoming Premier League season.
