Regardless of the outcome in Sunday's final, Chelsea will secure over 10% of the total $1 billion (£740.5 million) prize fund allocated by FIFA for the Club World Cup. This financial boost is significant, especially considering their substantial summer investments.
The competition, culminating in a match against Paris St-Germain in New Jersey, has provided more than just monetary rewards for Enzo Maresca's squad. It offers a chance to claim a second trophy within months, following their Conference League success in June, and to deflect criticism of the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital strategy focused on signing young players on long-term contracts.
Additionally, winning would allow Chelsea to hold the title of world champions until the next tournament in 2029. Despite potential injuries and a shortened pre-season before the Premier League kicks off on August 16, Chelsea's commitment has brought them this far.
BBC Sport evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of the Club World Cup for the club.
Off the Pitch: Challenges and Adaptations
After their Conference League victory, Chelsea's non-international players enjoyed a 10-day break, while others joined the competition shortly after representing their national teams. Their journey included training at Cobham, followed by matches in Atlanta and a base in Philadelphia for the group stage. They then moved to Miami and finally to New York for the semi-final and final.
The heat across the United States posed a challenge to Chelsea's training regimen. Manager Maresca granted players substantial freedom during their downtime, helping maintain morale. The club also enlisted FA staff to manage logistics, including player family accommodations, enhancing the overall experience.
On the Pitch: Building Team Dynamics
With a shortened pre-season, Maresca experimented with new formations, including a traditional full-back setup and Cole Palmer as an inverted winger. Despite a 3-1 loss to Flamengo, the team rebounded with a 4-1 extra-time victory over Benfica using a similar strategy.
Maresca utilized his squad extensively, with all outfield players seeing action. Newcomers Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Dario Essugo, and Mamadou Sarr made their debuts, joining existing players Andrey Santos and Aaron Anselmino. The extended trip helped foster team cohesion, with Delap noting the benefits of spending extensive time with teammates.
Financial Incentives: A Balanced Approach
Chelsea's semi-final win over Fluminense brought their earnings to approximately £80 million, though FIFA has not disclosed exact figures. Winning the final could add another £7.3 million to their total. Joao Pedro, signed for £60 million, contributed significantly with two debut goals against Fluminense.
While the prize money will aid in funding transfers like Estevao Willian and Jamie Gittens, Maresca emphasized that the owners are focused on performance rather than financial rewards, alleviating pressure on the team.
Physical Demands and Benefits
Post-tournament, Maresca confirmed a three-week holiday for players, with no trophy parade planned even if they win against PSG. Many players will vacation directly from New York. The competition's demanding schedule has resulted in injuries for some players, including Essugo and Badiashile.
Despite these challenges, Chelsea's ability to rotate their squad last season has been advantageous, and they have gained both on and off the field through this experience.
Pre-Season Plans
Chelsea's players will have a shorter holiday than Manchester City, another Club World Cup participant. They will host Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan at Stamford Bridge in early August, leaving minimal time before their Premier League opener against Crystal Palace on August 17.
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