Chelsea will looking to make their mark at the FIFA Club World Cup this summer after a positive first 12 months at the club for Enzo Maresca.
The Italian coach steered the Blues over the line to a UEFA Champions League qualification spot via the Premier League top five and lifted the Conference League trophy.
Success in Europe’s third-tier competition means Chelsea became the first team to win win all three European club competitions and Maresca is hoping that momentum spills into their trip to the USA.
A spot in Group D puts Chelsea against Flamengo, Esperance de Tunis and Los Angeles FC with their first game against the latter on June 16 in Atalanta.
Cole Palmer remains the leading light in Maresca’s squad with the England international finishing the regular campaign as top scorer with 15 goals across all competitions.
Two assists in the Conference League final win over Real Betis underlined his ability to step up when Maresca needs him and the Blues boss has backed the 23-year-old to shine on the world stage.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
What did Maresca say about Cole Palmer’s Club World Cup role?
Palmer will be vital to Chelsea’s chances of success in the tournament and his manager is confident he’s ready to rise to the challenge once more.
“When you’re at Chelsea the goal is always to win. Our goal – in each and every game – is always to try to win,” he told an interview with DAZN.
“I’ve said it more than once. Cole Palmer is up there with the very best players who can produce at any moment, create something out of nothing. He wasn’t with me on the USA tour last summer, so it will be a chance for him to experience the environment and introduce himself to North America.”
Two new faces will also be in the travelling Chelsea squad with Dario Essugo joining from Sporting CP and a quickfire deal completed to bring in Liam Delap.
Delap has been omitted from the England squad for the U21 European Championships in Romania this summer – on the back of scoring 12 EPL goals with relegated Ipswich Town – in his debut top-flight campaign.
Chelsea news and related links
