The FIFA Club World Cup final takes place at Metlife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday when European champions Paris Saint-Germain face a resurgistic Chelsea, with these two young teams that show the future of the game.
Both will pursue not only the Club World Cup trophy and the glory of being named the best club on the planet, but also the additional $ 10 million award that the winner will receive to obtain their minimal earnings of this tournament just under $ 100 million.
Even for these superweales, each small helps.
Here are some key stories to focus before the final, since Luis Enrique’s PSG is the clear favorite about the Chelsea de Enzo Maresca.
The fascinating battle of the center of the field awaits
The PSG has the best center in the world. Fabian Ruiz, João Neves and Vitinha are cohesive, press in a package and, when they win it, they are very good to keep the ball and maintain the pressure. Chelsea has Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernández, a combative duo duo to break the rhythm and flow of an opposition midfielders, but there are only two of them against the PSG rotating derviche of a midfield.
The trio of the center of the PSG field makes it work and lights everything else. However, if the ball does not win quick enough, then the three attackers of Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvarathskhelia and Doue’s desire cannot remain high and be a constant threat to Chelsea’s defense, and are isolated more despite their incredible work rate. Chelsea Caicedo has been sensational for some time and will enjoy its role as the main disruptor. The PSG will do everything possible to try and quell Fernández. It will be intriguing if Maresca begins with another more defensive midfielder to match the PSG trio, or stay with his 4-2-3-1 fluid system and ask Cole Palmer to fall deeper from his number 10 role to occupy one of PSG’s midfielders and impact his incredible rhythm.
Additional intrigue to this area of the field is the fact that both the PSG and Chelsea love to invest their backs, with Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes often appearing in areas of the center of the field and central, and Marc Cucurella and bad taste or reece James of Chelsea doing the same. That makes a crucial area of the field even more obstructed and unpredictable. Bring the chaos.
Ousmane Dembele or João Pedro will be the goal hero?
Both teams have received a great impulse during this tournament: the arrival of attackers that can be clinical and provide a crucial avant -garde. Ousmane Dembele returned from an injury during the elimination rounds and has made a big difference. Its manager is asking him to win the Ballon d’Or (the award given to the best player on the planet) as the goals of Dembele, the assists, the movement and the presentation of everything good on this side of the PSG. But Chelsea received his own momentum of mass confidence with the firm of João Pedro, who has had a great impact immediately.
The Brazilian international left the bank in his debut and played an important role in Chelsea beating Palmeiras in the quarterfinals. Then, in his first start, he scored two beauties against his Fluminense childhood club to send Chelsea to this final. João Pedro had recently been on the beach relaxing, enjoying his break out of season. However, a few days after signing with Chelsea, it seems ready to lead his attack in the FIFA Club World Cup final.
Both PSG and Chelsea get goals from all their attacks, but have Demble back and João Pedro on board now gives both a clinical and dynamic spearhead to their attack. Of course, Kvarathskhelia and Palmer are mercural talents for the PSG and Chelsea, respectively, and can win any game in a second fraction with a majestic race, a dazzling finish or an intelligent film. But Ousmane, Dembele and João Pedro provide driving careers and the retention game to weave everything, and have that crucial cruelty against the goal.
Chelsea can have the deepest squad
After an exhausting six games race to reach the final of the Club World Cup after a 2024-25 season even more exhausting that has seen both teams play more than 60 games, this final will probably be decided why team uses its bank and a better squad. And Chelsea has the deepest team with more options, especially in the attack.
PSG’s initial alignment is very settled, and from the bank it usually brings in Bradley Barcola to have an impact. After that, he has some talented young midfielders and striker Goncalo Ramos to play papers. Chelsea has a complete attack unit full of international stars that can lead to change things and try to change the game in his favor. Liam Deap, Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke would start for many big clubs, but will probably be available from the bank in the second half. Captain Reece James could also begin at the bank, but it can be crucial as a hybrid midfielder/full backup, since both he and Andrey Santos could come to Chelsea an additional impulse when he needs it most. Chelsea will aim to keep it tight and prevent the PSG from dominating the rhythm of the game, then looked at his bank to see who can provide that little extra spark that could crown the world champion.
