Chelsea Win Club World Cup: Paper Champions, Not Europe’s Best
Chelsea might have lifted the Club World Cup, but let’s not kid ourselves—they’re far from the best team on the planet. Beating PSG is one thing, but it doesn’t make you world-beaters. The real test is in Europe, and Chelsea are still trailing behind the top dogs.
Maresca’s men were decent, but let’s not get carried away. The hype around this win is laughable. They played well enough to win, but where was the killer instinct? Too many players were coasting, happy to do just enough. That’s not the mentality of champions.
The midfield was pedestrian at times, lacking urgency and creativity. They need to step up if they want to compete with the likes of Real Madrid or Bayern Munich. The defense was solid, but let’s be honest, PSG didn’t exactly put them under pressure. It’s easy to look good when the opposition is toothless.
Up front, Chelsea had their moments, but the finishing was wasteful. They need a ruthless striker who can bury chances, not someone who fluffs their lines when it matters. The attack needs more bite, more aggression.
Maresca has a lot of work to do. Winning this trophy is nice, but it’s not the ultimate goal. The real challenge is the Champions League, and right now, Chelsea are not at that level. They need to stop believing their own hype and start putting in the hard yards.
This win is a step in the right direction, but it’s just that—a step. If Chelsea want to be the best, they need to show it week in, week out, against the best teams in Europe. Until then, they’re just paper champions.