By Aidan Leo
Goals from forward Pedro Neto and midfielder Enzo Fernandez powered Chelsea to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Los Angeles FC in their Club World Cup opener.
After a professional performance and run out for the Blues, their intentions for the tournament was made clear – to make a deep run, and possibly win.
Tougher challenges lie ahead for boss Enzo Maresca’s men outside of Group D, but securing three points after a controlled display without being in any real danger bodes well for the team’s confidence.
Delap debut
Battle-ready prospect and new signing Liam Delap came on the pitch in the final 20 to assist Fernandez’s killer blow to mark his initial entry on the stat sheet for the West Londoners.
Delap reaffirmed his readiness, saying: “It’s really important to help the team but I want to score some as well.
“It’s a really happy feeling for me. I’m so excited to be here and to play my first game and contribute. It’s a good feeling.
“They’ve welcomed me really well. I’ve only had a few sessions here but I can’t wait for even more,” he said on Sky Sports.
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Chelsea’s new number nine will have plenty of depth in forward areas to contend with, based on the experienced players at the club currently and the ones they plan on bringing in.
If Delap manages to surpass the Blues’ current main striker Nicolas Jackson in the pecking order, that should still be considered a win for the young striker, regardless of whether the club brings in another forward.
At minimum, securing a spot on the bench next season will be key for Delap, let alone if his performances dictate a starting berth in the race for a Premier League title.
Maresca shifts focus
The Chelsea boss seemed unfazed by his team’s composed first-round performance, and rather has his eyes set on the challenges that lie ahead in the later rounds.
Speaking with Channel 5, Maresca said: “Very good result. At this stage of the season it is also normal that you have to manage different kinds of things. Overall the performance has been good.
“We have to recover. We have a game in three days so we will see. We are going to prepare in the best way and for sure try to win.”
After a tough season across all competitions, Maresca will be hopeful his team was galvanised by this performance and can stake a claim for a Club World Cup victory without taking on any injuries going into the offseason.
That will be a massive blow to Chelsea who are looking to strengthen in the summer, not to have any potential starters sidelined before then.
Takeaways from the opener
Maresca’s possession-heavy style proved fruitful yet again after securing 65.2% possession over the course of the encounter, while maintaining a decent attacking output with 17 shots on goal.
The Blues were also solid at the back – winning 85.7% of their aerial duels, and demonstrated a more efficient tackle success rate of 77.3%, 20% more efficient than LAFC who ended the match at 57.9%.
Maresca will be pleased with the performance of his backline, which included his first-choice fullbacks, captain Reece James and high-flyer Marc Cucurella, along with the calmness of the ever-present and growing-in-confidence centre-half Levi Colwill.
The other centre-back position has often been an area of rotation for Chelsea this season, but Tosin Adarabioyo made his case for the starting position, but will have to continue to do so throughout the tournament if he plans to remain a certainty going into next season.
For the time being, Chelsea will take to the pitch on Friday, June 20, against Brazilian club Flamengo.
After defeating ES Tunis in their first-round matchup 2-0, Flamengo sit atop Group D along with the Blues and will be hopeful of an underdog triumph when they clash with Maresca’s men.
For Chelsea, it’s business as usual.
They will be expected to get the job done come June 20.
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