Chelsea are one of the favourites for the FIFA Club World Cup this summer, but who cares? The tournament is a joke, and the Blues' participation is just a result of their Champions League win in 2021. The $1 billion prize purse is a nice bonus, but it's not like Chelsea needs the money.
The fixtures are a mess
The fixtures for the Club World Cup are all over the place. Chelsea's first match is on June 16 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, followed by a game on June 20 at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Their final group match is on June 25 at the same stadium. The knockout stages begin on June 28 and run until the final on July 13. It's a long and grueling schedule that will take a toll on the players.
The opposition is a joke
Chelsea's group opponents are a joke. They'll face Los Angeles FC, Flamengo, and Esperance. None of these teams are anywhere near the level of Chelsea, and it's a waste of time for the Blues to even play them. The only interesting thing about the match against LAFC is the potential reunion with Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris.
Maresca is right to be concerned
Enzo Maresca is spot on with his concerns about player welfare. The schedule is ridiculous, and the players will be exhausted by the end of the tournament. It's not normal or correct for the players to have such a long and grueling schedule. FIFA doesn't care about the health of the players, they only care about the money.
The Club World Cup is a farce
The Club World Cup is a farce. It's a tournament that no one cares about, and it's a waste of time for the top teams. The only reason Chelsea are participating is because of their Champions League win in 2021. The tournament is a cash grab by FIFA, and it's not a true representation of the best teams in the world. The sooner it's scrapped, the better.
