Love it or loathe it, the new-look FIFA Club World Cup has produced some good moments and plenty of talking points. It all comes to a climax on Sunday, with Chelsea kicking-off against French and European champions PSG.
By Alex Roberts
Both sides have played arguably the best football at the tournament, although PSG’s route to the final has been a little trickier than Chelsea’s. Of course, any side that beats Real Madrid 4-0 has to be considered favourites.
Unstoppable force vs immovable object
With Moisés Caicedo back in training and seemingly fit to face PSG, he will come up against another midfielder that has made a name for himself as one of the best ball winners in the game, João Neves.
Neves has undergone quite the transformation since joining the French giants. While at Benfica, he was more creative, under Luis Enrique, his tenacity and undying engine have seen him become more of a N’Golo Kanté.
He was absolutely everywhere in the win over Real Madrid, winning the most duels (7) and tackles (4) in the game. Caicedo put up similar numbers in the win over Benfica, winning 100% of his tackles, making 10 recoveries, and winning five duels. This game will likely be won in the midfield.
João Pedro!? More like Wow Pedro
Talk about an instant impact. The Brazilian was on a beach in Rio just over a week ago, now he’s arguably Chelsea’s first choice striker. His two goals against Fluminense were superbly taken, a penny for Nicolas Jackson’s thoughts.
He offers a different kind of option to Liam Delap and Jackson. While Delap is more of a Jack Russell Terrier, biting and the ankles of defenders, Pedro relies on his hold-up play and deft touches to create space and strike the ball with venom.
Jackson’s best asset is his movement; he’s just often let down when it comes to actually putting the ball in the back of the net. It’s an exciting time to be a Chelsea fan, and it would be hard for Enzo Maresca to pick anyone other than Pedro to start in this one.
In all but name
PSG don’t need a little badge on their shirt to know they’re the best side in the world at the moment; they’ve proven it over and over again by beating the best of the best. Luis Enrique has done a hell of a job.
Chelsea are on the come up under Enzo Maresca, but PSG have already beaten better sides to get here. They’re only behind Man City in terms of xG with 12.5 and level with them in big chances created with 24.
They’re also so hard to break down. PSG have conceded just one goal in the tournament, coming in their shock 1-0 defeat to Brazilian side Botafogo. Perhaps Chelsea can take inspiration from that game.
Money, Money, Money
It’s no secret the immense amount of cash on offer is the main driving force for clubs in the competition, it’s the name of the modern game. FIFA put up a $1 billion prize pot to be divided between the 32 competing teams.
The winner of this one will have bagged around £70 million for their time at the tournament, which is roughly how much Chelsea pay for any given squad player, it’s quite the motivator for the accountants at least.
We shouldn’t discount professional pride as a motivator; both of these clubs are used to winning and adding another trophy to the cabinet, regardless of what people think, will have the players licking their lips.
Prediction
This is the greatest test in Maresca’s time as Chelsea manager, and we reckon it may just be a step too far. PSG should win this fairly comfortably, 3-1.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
You can watch the Club World Cup live on DAZN – watch here for free!