Chelsea kick-start their Club World Cup campaign with a clash with MLS club Los Angeles FC, as Enzo Maresca aims for a winning start.

The Club World Cup commenced with a goalless draw between MLS side Inter Miami and Egyptian club Al-Alhy. All eyes from here on will be on some of the bigger clubs participating in the competition, starting with Europa Conference League winner Chelsea, who face LAFC this week .

The Blues will want to make a big mark on this inaugural 32-team tournament, as there will be the element of increased finances and competing with some of the best clubs. Enzo Maresca will see this as an opportunity to add another trophy to his CV.

There are some questions about how the CWC might hurt big clubs in their domestic seasons as well as player welfare. However, those aside, Chelsea will be focused on competing with the best in this competition, as they kick-start their Club World Cup campaign against LAFC.

LAFC will also want to build on the cup success, having won the US Open Cup this season, they will want to test themselves against some of the big teams on the planet in this tournament. The MLS side were not expected to feature in the CWC, as they were fortunate to gain a place after Mexican side Leon were omitted for violating FIFA multi-club ownership rules.

LAFC did have to play winner-takes-it-all playoffs against Club America for the final spot in the CWC. A 2-1 victory in Extra time for the MLS outfit proved pivotal in sealing a place in the finals.

LAFC are pitted against Chelsea and Flamengo in Group D, as they are in a good vein of form with a run of 10 games unbeaten across all competitions. However, this streak could come to an end against Chelsea, as the Premier League side might be too much of a challenge for the MLS side.

Team News & Tactics

Chelsea

Chelsea have taken a strong squad to the US for the CWC, as there will be an interesting dilemma for Enzo Maresca to pick his starting lineup. They did try to get a few deals over the line ahead of the tournament, as their only signing so far Liam Delap is expected to make his first start for the Blues.

Other names like Dario Essugo are also expected to get a start, while fellow new arrival Mamadou Sarr might get a place on the bench. Cole Palmer will be the main threat for Chelsea in this tournament, although Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto are expected to start in the front three alongside Delap.

Mike Penders could be given a start in between the sticks by Maresca, as they did not bring Djorde Petrovic to the tournament as he seeks a move away from Chelsea.

Benoit Badiashile and Tosin Adarabioyo are the central defenders for this clash, although this partnership could change as Chelsea progresses in the CWC. Maresca could also rest some of his other big hitters like Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, as Romeo Lavia is expected to start in central midfield alongside new arrival Essugo.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Penders; James, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Cucurella; Lavia, Essugo; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Delap

LAFC

LAFC will be able to field their best lineup possible given they are in the middle of their regular MLS season. The team has been in a good vein of form, as their manager Steven Cherundolo will hope for a competitive display against Chelsea.

There are some players with European pedigree in this LAFC squad, although they might have to make do without on-loan Celtic midfielder Odin Holm, with the Norwegian struggling with a leg injury of sorts, that may see him miss out on the starting lineup.

The headline act for the MLS club will come from former Spurs man Hugo Lloris and ex-Chelsea forward Olivier Giroud, who is still going strong at the age of 38 and in the right vein of form ahead of meeting his former side. The big threat for Chelsea will be left winger Denis Bouanga, who is LAFC’s leading scorer as well as a creator this season, as the Blues’ defence might focus on him.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Lloris; Palencia, Segura, Marlon, Hollingshead; Tillman, Jesus, Delgado; Yeboah, Giroud, Bouanga

Key Stats

• LAFC are unbeaten in ten games across all competitions.
• LAFC have scored at least two goals in each of their last ten games across all competitions.
• Chelsea have won eight of their last nine games across all competitions.
• Chelsea have won the Club World Cup back in 2021/22.

Player to Watch

Cole Palmer

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Palmer will be the key man for Chelsea, not only in this opening group game but in the tournament as a whole. Enzo Maresca will want to manage the England international’s minutes carefully as not only he, but the entire team are in unknown territory in terms of playing at this time of the year after a rather grueling season.

Palmer will have to make a mark, as should Chelsea go deep into the competition, they will face some formidable teams. As for star attraction, he will be a big figure in that aspect, as Maresca will hope the key man will help the Blues kickstart the tournament on the right tone.

Prediction

Chelsea 4-1 LAFC

LAFC are in the middle of their regular season and will have the right fitness levels considering their most recent game was on June 9. Yet, they might suffer in terms of overall quality compared to their opponents Chelsea, as many other MLS teams have suffered defeats in the past during this time of the year when the English sides come to the US for their pre-season.

Chelsea are expected to win this clash comfortably, but one should not expect them to be in their full flow. This is a rather unusual time even for a pre-season game, although Chelsea would feel they have all the ingredients to get a big win to kick-start this competition.