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After the chaos of recent seasons, Chelsea head Stateside armed with stability and silverware
Heaven knows there has been plenty of upheaval at Chelsea in recent times with changes of ownership, managers, players and, not least, the club’s on-field fortunes.
But as Enzo Maresca’s team prepares to compete in the biggest and most lucrative FIFA Club World Cup ever this summer – with every game live on DAZN – there is a sense of calm, stability and a palpable feelgood factor.
The Blues head to the US on the back of a season which saw them finish fourth in the Premier League, securing Champions League qualification next term, and win the Conference League in Poland.
After thumping Spanish side Real Betis 4-1 in Wroclaw, Chelsea became the first club to win the Champions League, Europa League, Super Cup and Conference League – taking their European trophies to nine.
Now they will bid to win the Club World Cup for the second time, having won it under Thomas Tuchel in 2021 after beating Palmeiras 2-1 after extra-time in Abu Dhabi.
Chelsea went into the 2024-25 campaign with a new manager in Maresca, having mutually agreed to part company with his predecessor Mauricio Pochettino after just one season at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca, who guided Leicester City to the Championship title in the 2023-24 season, has cut an impressive figure as Chelsea boss. That cannot be denied.
The uncompromising Italian has done things his way and not been afraid to make some tough decisions in managing a young squad with an average age of 23.5.
Chelsea gave eight academy players their debuts in the Conference League this season – Tyrique George, Samuel Rak-Sakyi, Ato Ampah, Shumaira Mheuka, Kiano Dyer, Harrison Murray-Campbell, Genesis Antwi and Reggie Walsh.
Maresca’s team is flooded with youthful promise and he was all smiles at the end of a campaign which saw him deliver a European trophy and a place in next season’s Champions League.
Fourth place in the Premier League was sealed with a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest in the final game of the season. Levi Colwill fired the Blues to victory at the City Ground, breaking the deadlock shortly after half-time. With Newcastle losing to Everton and Manchester United beating Aston Villa, Chelsea clinched fourth place on 69 points.
The victory secured Champions League qualification following a two-year absence from the competition and was rapturously received by co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali. They went on the pitch at the City Ground – along with sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart – to congratulate Maresca.
There were hugs, high fives and back slaps all around and a visibly emotional Boehly was also spotted congratulating some of the players, enjoying chats with Reece James and Romeo Lavia.
After such a momentous win, that was understandable.
It was a similar story three days later in Poland as the Blues overcame a 1-0 half-time deficit to run out comprehensive 4-1 victors.
Cole Palmer, not for the first time, took centre stage after the break with delightful assists for Chelsea’s first two goals for Enzo Fernández and Nicolas Jackson which turned the game in their favour.
After the game, Boehly, Eghbali and Jose E. Feliciano were on the pitch celebrating with their squad, which is officially the youngest in the Premier League era.
The first one to celebrate with the players in Wroclaw was Boehly, followed by the Clearlake Capital co-founders.
The success came just two days shy of the three-year anniversary of their £2.5bn purchase of the club from Roman Abramovich and marked their first trophy since taking charge.
Maresca’s side don't have much of a break to look forward to this summer as they open their Club World Cup campaign on June 16 against Los Angeles FC.
After prevailing in Poland, Maresca said: “Hopefully, it can be a starting point toward further success in the future.
“To build a winning mentality, you need to win games and competitions.”
Now his youthful squad has the chance to go all the way on the global stage in the Club World Cup.
After the season they have just enjoyed, you wouldn’t bet against them achieving it.
Watch all 63 matches of the 2025 Club World Cup live on DAZN. More information and to sign up for a free account here.
