Chelsea vs PSG Preview: Predictions, Injury Report and Possible Lineup For 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Final
The FIFA Club World Cup comes to a majestic end this Sunday in a final that pits the Champions of the UEFA Conference League, Chelsea against the champions of the UEFA Champions League Paris Saint-Germain at the 82,500-capacity MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday. Kick-off is 3pm local time, 8pm UK time.
Chelsea head into the final of the Club World Cup with the hopes of winning its second Club World Cup title following its 2-1 win against Palmeiras in 2021, the Blues appear the more experienced outfit as this will be its third appearance in the final of the FIFA Club World, only Real Madrid (5) and Barcelona(4) have more appearance. In contrast, this is PSG’s first appearance in the Club World Cup final, in fact this is the Parisians first appearance at the Club World Cup and contrary to popular belief, the Ligue 1 Champions qualified via UEFA ranking and not as winners of this season’s Champions League.
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Chelsea vs PSG Match Preview
The Chelsea manager, Enzo Maresca describes the 2024-25 season as a ‘great season’ with qualification for next seasons UEFA Champions League and success in the Conference League final against Real Betis which the Italian tactician believes would not be achieved without the support of the fans who he believes has helped push the team, Chelsea will be playing back-to-back matches at the 82,500-capacity MetLife Stadium with attendance in the semi-final 2-0 win over Fluminense pegged at 70,556.
With 14 goals and 61.3 percent, Chelsea sit 6th on the table for teams with the most possession at the Club World Cup, behind Bayern Munich (5th) Inter Milan (3rd) and opponents in Sunday’s Final PSG (2nd) but the Chelsea manager, Enzo Maresca appeared irritated by insinuations Chelsea would have to suffer by ceding control of the match to PSG whose average ball possession so far is 66.9 percent.
Maresca was full of praise this year as PSG marched to the Champions League success but even he would not have expected his young Chelsea side to meet the dominant French champions so soon. In the buildup to Sunday’s final Luis Enrique spoke of ‘creating history’ with a PSG side that continues to evolve with few knowing its final destination. Enrique has been the chief architect orchestrating every win from the touchline while being humble about his contribution. His influence over the team cannot be over emphasised with some defiant that the Spaniard deserves the ballon d’or.
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Luis Enrique admitted to receiving several texts from Barcelona fans after the 4-0 victory over Real Madrid in the semi final which witnessed the Parisians romp to a 3-0 lead within the first 24 minutes, such was the dominance that pundits at half time openly voiced their concern for Chelsea. Such worries are not embraced by Chelsea defender, Levi Colwill-who should return in the starting line up after missing the semi final win over Fluminense- as he believes Chelsea have got nothing to lose as everybody believes PSG will win the match.
Facing PSG can be suffocating for teams and most collapse under the pressure but Chelsea will take solace in the fact that teams who have successfully pressed PSG have found joy, Chelsea will hope to limit the influence-especially-of Vitinha and Joao Neves and also be mindful of the press from both Portuguese. Chelsea made at least 19 errors leading to a shot or a goal in the premier league this season and must be mindful of errors especially early on in the match as PSG has scored 10 first half goals in this competition with three coming against Real Madrid in the semi-final.
The PSG final clash will be Chelsea’s 64th match of the season in their bid to become the first English side to win the Club World Cup twice while also winning its last 5 international finals ( excluding super cup) meanwhile PSG asides from winning the treble this season has won 10 of its last 11 matches across all competitions. Since the Coupe de France final, Paris Saint-Germain have secured victory in their last five knockout round matches with a combined score of 18-0, Victories over Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal will serve as a strong reminder regarding the threat carried by the French side.
Player Availability
Manager Enzo Maresca confirmed the departure of winger Noni Madueke who has flown back to London to complete his move to Arsenal and so will miss the final,the duo of Estevao and Jamie-gittens remains ineligible for the tie but new signings Joao Pedro and Liam Delap are fit and eligible for this tie. Nicholas Jackson is back into the team after serving out his suspension but appears third on the pecking order behind semi final 2-goal hero Joao Pedro and Liam Delap.
Moises Caicedo was pictured in training but Maresca has confirmed the midfielder did not participate in full training and will continue to be observed ahead of the final.
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Luis Enrique will continue to be without suspended duo of Pacho and Lucas Hernandez but coped well without the duo in the comfortable win over Real Madrid, the Spanish coach is faced with a conundrum of starting Ousmane Dembele but issues of fitness on the French attacker were laid to rest with his performance against Real Madrid.
CHE vs PSG Probable Line Up
Chelsea possible starting lineup: Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Nkunku; Pedro.
Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Beraldo, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz; Kvaratskhelia, Dembele, Doue.
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