Each of the last eight FIFA Club World Cup champions have been winners of the Champions League and Chelsea will be hoping to continue that trend in this year’s competition in the United Arab Emirates.
The London club were in fact the last European side to lose in the final of the Club World Cup, falling to a 1-0 defeat against Corinthians back in 2012.
But the Blues have another shot at winning the competition for the first time in their history this year, with Thomas Tuchel’s men entering at the semi-final phase.
The 2020-21 Champions League winners, who defeated Manchester City 1-0 in the final, are targeting a third trophy under their German boss, having also won the UEFA Super Cup last year.
Palmeiras a Major Threat
Also entering the Club World Cup at the semi-final stage are Brazilians Palmeiras, who won the Copa Libertadores.
Palmeiras topped their group in the continental competition before progressing through the knockout phase comfortably and beating Flamengo after extra-time in the final.
The first round of this year’s Club World Cup begins with Oceania representatives AS Pirae, who are from Tahiti, taking on 2020-21 UAE Pro League champions Al Jazira, who defied expectations to reach the last four of the competition back in 2017, losing to champions Real Madrid at that stage.
The winners of that first-round tie will then proceed to face Al Hilal of the AFC in the tournament’s second round with the other match at that stage seeing Concacaf outfit Monterrey locking horns with the CAF’s Al Ahly.
Monterrey Could Prove Tricky
Mexicans Monterrey are another side to keep an eye on in this tournament, having won their fifth Concacaf Champions League title in October with victory over compatriots America in the final.
Three of the four semi-finalists had in fact hailed from Mexico, with Philadelphia Union progressing the furthest of the MLS clubs.
Among the most recognisable players in Monterrey’s ranks are former Arsenal forward Joel Campbell, experienced defender Hector Moreno and Tottenham flop Vincent Janssen.
Blues Juggling Targets
Chelsea, however, will be the side many are expecting to come away with the trophy, but Tuchel’s men will be well aware of the challenge they face in Abu Dhabi whilst trying to juggle a handful of other key games in the next month.
Before their semi-final match, which will take place next Wednesday, the Blues are playing in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
And, although progression to the final could cause their fixture list to alter, they also have the last-16 of the Champions League, in which they face Lille, as well as the EFL Cup final with Liverpool, on the horizon.
The first round of the Club World Cup gets under way on Thursday with the second round taking place on Saturday.
The two semi-finals are on Tuesday and Wednesday next week, with matches for fifth place and third place scheduled, before the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium welcomes the tournament finalists on Saturday 12th February.
