Chelsea want to end the Brazilian party to secure a European final.
Fluminense and Chelsea will play today at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey (9 p.m.) for the first place in the Club World Cup final. The Brazilians, after performing strongly in the World Cup, are looking to complement their strong performance with a place in the final to prevent the title match from being between European clubs. The Rio de Janeiro team is relying on defensive solidity, led by the skill of Thiago Silva, a former Chelsea player who was present in the last Champions League title won by the English team. The Rio de Janeiro side has only conceded three goals in the entire competition.
For its part, the British team, which in recent seasons has lacked good sporting results, wants to confirm its rebirth by winning the Club World Cup after certifying its qualification for next year's Champions League in the Premier League and lifting the Conference League against Betis . Chelsea has opted for million-pound signings to return to the elite of European football since American businessman Todd Boehly bought the blue entity in 2022. One of the latest has been Brazilian Estevão, who scored a goal for Palmeiras in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup despite Stamford Bridge's victory (1-2).
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Chelsea's huge investments are expected to be offset by the experience and competitive savoir-faire of players like goalkeeper Fábio (44 years old), wing-back Samuel Xavier (35) and Argentine striker Cano (37). The eleven presented by Renato Gaúcho in the quarter-finals against Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal had an average age of 30. However, the Brazilian coach will have the disadvantage of not being able to count on midfielder Matheus Martinelli and defender Juan Pablo Freytes due to suspension, two undisputed starters. Colombian striker Jhon Arias will be there, who has won three man of the match awards at the World Cup. "We are not here just to participate. We are here to win and to make history," the Fluminense coach stated emphatically before the match against the Blues .
“You don't win games with budgets. You need more. The history of football is full of teams with big budgets that have lost to teams with small budgets,” Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca commented in the pre-match press conference. Chelsea has spent approximately €990 million between the current summer transfer window and the previous two, according to the prestigious website Transfermarkt.
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The English team arrives at the event having previously faced two Brazilian teams at the Club World Cup. In the group stage, they were defeated by Flamengo, coached by former Atlético player Filipe Luis, while in the quarterfinals, they defeated Palmeiras with an own goal in the final minutes of the match.
Fluminense is seeking glory to prolong the joy in Brazil and continue to wave the flag of South American pride by preventing a European final. The other semifinal will be contested by PSG and Real Madrid .
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