Questions to be asked of Chelsea ahead of Club World Cup

Sit down in any pub across England and you’re bound to run into a Chelsea fan who proudly sings “Champions of Europe, we know what we are!” slightly indiscernibly while grasping a pint in one hand and raising the other in a rather celebratory manner.  For those courageous enough to strike up a conversation with this individual, you’ll undoubtedly hear the story of a club whose history is ripe with legends and a trophy cabinet has been stocked full of domestic and international silverware. Yet, despite the accomplishments of the London-based club, one title has eluded the Blues—the FIFA Club World Cup.

This week, Chelsea gets its opportunity to fill that void. After qualifying through their Champions League victory last year, the Blues will begin an important journey toward winning their second trophy of the season as they clash with Al Hilal SFC. Make no mistake about it, Chelsea is favored to win the event as European clubs have dominated the competition over the past decade. However, the reigning European Champions’ form this season has been akin to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and, frankly, we can’t be too sure which squad will walk onto the pitch in Abu Dhabi.

That said, let’s look at the key questions being asked of Chelsea ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup:

1. Which Chelsea squad will we see?

If you look at the stats, Chelsea is unequivocally one of the top clubs in the Premier League. The Blues maintain a 0.78 goal differential per 90 minutes (third in the PL), they average 3.38 goal-creating actions per 90 minutes (third) and they allow just 0.75 goals against per 90 (second). For all intents and purposes, the Blues are a top team in every aspect of the game.

Unfortunately, these stats alone don’t tell the whole story. This season in particular, Chelsea has struggled to sustain its form, often matching the intensity and quality of its opponents. Just recently, the Blues frustratingly struggled to put away a lesser Plymouth Argyle squad in an FA Cup clash. They have also struggled against clubs like Brighton, Burnley, Leeds United and Zenit.

The reality is that this Chelsea squad is lacking confidence and consistency. While the stats tell us that the system is efficient, the results tell us that the players are not. Injuries and COVID-19 have surely amplified this concern, but it’s very clear that something has occurred to damage the chemistry of this group. That will have to change if the Blues want to hoist the FIFA Club World Cup Trophy in a few days’ time.

There is cause for optimism though. Chelsea is starting to earn the moniker of being a “cup team” following recent success in the UEFA Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup. The club has displayed an unbelievable ability to rise to the occasion in big games. The Blues are 18-4-3 in cup matches since Thomas Tuchel’s arrival in January of 2021, outscoring opponents 41-12 in that time frame. A winning mentality will be critical for Chelsea, especially against clubs that are hunting the glory of being the ones to unseat the current European Champions. If Chelsea wants to win this tournament, it’ll have to come prepared to display the class it is capable of—starting on Wednesday against the Asian Champions, Al Hilal.