Deadspin | Chelsea eyeing upset of PSG in Club World Cup final

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Six weeks faraway from their first UEFA Champions League title, Paris Saint-Germain have been the indeniable finest group on the FIFA Club World Cup.

Chelsea are a extra acquainted sight on the worldwide stage, and so they’ve had a powerful event themselves, however they would be the underdogs once they go toe to toe with PSG in the Club World Cup final on Sunday.

Using excessive off their 5-0 Champions League final victory over Inter Milan, which accomplished a continental treble, PSG have torn via the Club World Cup with 16 objectives scored and just one conceded. Their knockout-stage victories over Inter Miami, Bayern Munich and Actual Madrid got here by a mixed 10-0.

“For certain, they’re the highest group in Europe, in the world, most likely in this second one of the best group in the world,” Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca mentioned in the pre-match press convention. “However I believe that each recreation is completely different, each recreation may be completely different and we’ll strive our greatest to do a great recreation.”

PSG have performed an amazing possession recreation in the course of the event and lead all groups in turnovers compelled (272). Defender Achraf Hakimi has compelled a CWC-high 44, and the Parisians have been fast to transform Actual Madrid giveaways into three objectives in the primary 24 minutes of Wednesday’s semifinal.

If there’s any group that may keep affected person in the face of that model of play, it might be Chelsea, led by the midfield duo of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo. Fernandez leads all gamers in the Club World Cup with three assists, and he is helped coordinate a balanced assault in which 10 completely different gamers have scored no less than one objective.

“They’re up there with one of the best midfielders in the world. I believe that shall be clear on Sunday,” Chelsea captain Reece James mentioned of his teammates.

Caicedo is lower than 100% wholesome and Maresca hopes he can play Sunday, as he took half in coaching however not absolutely.

Chelsea, who received this event in 2021, made it to the final by defeating Benfica 4-1, Palmeiras 2-1 and Fluminense 2-0. PSG coach Luis Enrique praised Maresca and Chelsea’s enjoying model at his pre-match press convention.

“That is elite competitors and in case you suppose this recreation is simply going to be a stroll in the park, that is since you do not actually know what Chelsea are about,” Enrique mentioned. “They only received the Convention League, they’re rising, they’ve actually good gamers, and Mr. Maresca is doing such a terrific job.”

Fabian Ruiz (three), Ousmane Dembele (two), Joao Neves (two) and Hakimi (two) have guided PSG on the scoring entrance.

–Adam Zielonka, Discipline Stage Media