This Sunday, July 13, Paris Saint-Germain take on Chelsea at New York’s MetLife Stadium (kick-off 9pm CET, broadcast on DAZN) in the final of the 2025 Club World Cup. And as before every match, here’s a presentation of the Parisians’ opponents.
The Chelsea situation –
Founded in 1905, Chelsea has had its ups and downs. These include major investments in the 2000s and important titles (Premier League in 2005, 2006 and 2010, as well as the 2012 Champions League). Then came a few ups and downs, before a fine comeback marked by the Champions League win in 2021, with the 2015 and 2017 Premier League titles on the way (among others).
Since then, with Todd Boehly buying the club to replace Roman Abramovitch, the Blues have been particularly inconsistent, despite spending heavily at the mercato. The accumulation of players at Chelsea is even a subject of jokes in soccer.
After a period of empty seasons since 2021, Chelsea won a title again in the 2024-2025 season: the Europa League Conference (hard to say it’s a major title) won against Betis Sevilla (4-1). Now there’s the final for the 4th Premier League 2024-2025. Which still seems to be looking for itself, ahead of many more moves at the mercato.
The 2025/2026 summer mercato –
Source : Transfermarkt.
Departures :
Arrivals :
Key statistics –
This season, Chelsea are among the league’s 7th best attackers, with 64 goals scored (the top scorer, Liverpool, is 86, and the bottom scorer, Southampton, is 26), and have the 3rd best defense, with 43 goals conceded (Arsenala the best defense, with 34 goals conceded, and the bottom scorer, Southampton, is 86).
Chelsea’s top scorer is Cole Palmer (23-year-old attacking midfielder), and with 15 goals, he’s among the 8th best in the league (the Premier League’s top scorer is Mohamed Salah with 29 goals). Palmer is also the English club’s top passer with 8 assists, ranking him 10th in the Premier League (Salah is still first with 18 assists).
Last 5 Chelsea games –
Only London possession is shown and Chelsea shots are put first (when data is available).
20/06/2025 (Ligue 1) – Flamengo/Chelsea (with 10 men at the 68th minute, 2-1): 3-1. In 4-2-3-1. 48% possession. 11 shots, including 4 on target, against 13 shots (9 on target).
25/06/2025 (Ligue 1) – ES Tunis/Chelsea: 0-3. In 4-2-3-1. 75% possession. 16 shots, including 7 on target, against 3 shots (0 on target).
28/06/2025 (Ligue 1) – Benfica (down to 10 at the 82nd minute, 1-1)/Chelsea: 1-1, then 1-4 in extra time. 4-2-3-1 formation. 64% possession. 22 shots (12 on target) vs. 8 shots (5 on target).
05/07/2025 (Ligue 1) – Palmeiras/Chelsea: 1-2. In 4-2-3-1. 63% possession. 19 shots, including 6 on target, against 7 shots (2 on target).
08/07/2025 (Ligue 1) – Fluminense/Chelsea: 0-2. In 4-2-3-1. 54% possession. 17 shots including 5 on target versus 12 shots (3 on target).
The 4-2-3-1 team according to the press (L’Equipe):
Pedro
Nkunku – Palmer- Neto
Fernandez – Caicedo
Cucurella – Adarabioyo – Chalobah – Colwill
Sanchez
Chelsea’s style of play.
Coach Enzo Maresca’s team is a little too erratic to be in the Premier League title race, and likes to have possession of the ball, but also knows how to counter whenever possible. The idea is to be high up the pitch, even if it means playing offside.
Once they’ve got the ball, Chelsea prefer to use short passes to build up their play, particularly around Cole Palmer. Of course, as is often the case against PSG, there could be some adjustment.
