Chelsea players have very little time to celebrate their achievements from the 2024/25 season before they are back in action over the summer.
The Blues are one of the two Premier League representatives in the Club World Cup, set to get underway later this month in the United States.
The club are taking the competition seriously, shown by the fact they want to complete signings before their first game against LA FC in two weeks’ time.
There are going to be a number of new faces on display for Chelsea across the pond. Todd Boehly confirmed Andrey Santos would feature for them as he looks set to finally become a first team star.
Enzo Maresca will get his first look at a number of stars, as The Chelsea Chronicle predict who will start for the Blues in their tournament opener against the MLS side.
Chelsea Club World Cup predicted XI
The first audition to take place will be that of Djordje Petrovic. After it was believed Petrovic wouldn’t suit Maresca’s style, he now has a chance to secure the number one jersey after an excellent campaign at Strasbourg.
With international call-ups for Reece James and Malo Gusto, Josh Acheampong will get a big chance to prove he still has a bright future at the club with the start.
Experienced players will be few and far between in this side, but one of those figures will start at the heart of defence in the form of Tosin Adarabioyo.
We are expecting him to partner Benoit Badiashile, with Levi Colwill called up to prove his point to Thomas Tuchel ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
At left-back, Marc Cucurella will start, despite just coming off the final stages of the Nations League with Spain.
There will be a start for Andrey Santos in the heart of midfield for the Blues, with him featuring briefly for Maresca last summer but now clearly being a far better player than before.
He will be partnered by Moises Caicedo, who for once does not have a long flight home following international duty in South America.
Ahead of them, his international teammate Kendry Paez will make his first appearance in a Chelsea shirt. Caicedo has already described Paez as ‘incredible’, and there is plenty of excitement surrounding his arrival.
In attack, we are predicting Noni Madueke will start on the wing, despite being one of the five Chelsea players called up to the England squad.
The opposite side will be occupied by Pedro Neto, who will feel he has more to offer after his first campaign at Stamford Bridge.
Up front, the big-name signing so far will make his debut, as Liam Delap looks to solve Chelsea’s recent goalscoring woes following his projected move from Ipswich Town.
