'The strategy is working' - Former Chelsea player impressed by club's direction after FIFA Club World Cup victory

Chelsea head into the new Premier League season as title contenders, according to former Blues player and manager Roberto Di Matteo.

The Blues are coming off a successful campaign in which they won the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup under first-year manager Enzo Maresca, turning heads along the way with their style of play.

Their emphatic victory in the Club World Cup final against Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain has led Di Matteo to believe that Chelsea will be among the teams to beat in the Premier League after the Londoners finished fourth in 2024-25. 

"I was in New York for the FIFA Club World Cup, so I saw Chelsea live in the semi-final and for the final and I have to confirm that they were very impressive in the final," Di Matteo told BetVictor, who offer the latest online casino games. 

"In the semi-final too, they played really well against a strong Brazilian side, but in the final they were very impressive. 

"The way they played, the way they didn't allow PSG to actually express themselves.

"Based on those last two games, but also they did really well over the whole month in America. I have to say, I agree. I think we need to put them up as title contenders."

Chelsea's trophy haul impressed Di Matteo, but it was winning the new version of the Club World Cup that convinced him that the side are heading in the right direction after many years spent outside England's elite.

"It's always great to add a trophy to the history of the club," he said. "I think that the Conference League is a good trophy, but people don't appreciate it as much as probably the team, the players and the fans, because it’s seen as a minor cup. 

"But nevertheless, it's a good trophy to have. But then the FIFA Club World Cup, I think it just confirmed that the team and the club are going in the right direction, the strategy is working and it's a big trophy. 

"Even though it was the first edition and people don't really know what to make of the competition, I was out there, there was a lot of buzz about it, really good teams playing in it, some of the best teams in world football and Chelsea won the trophy and they did it impressively."

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