Club World Cup Final: Enzo Backs Chelsea to Stun PSG

Club World Cup final preparations at Cobham have taken on an electric edge as Enzo Fernandez declared that Chelsea “are also a great team” and fully capable of upsetting Paris Saint-Germain when the two European giants collide for the global crown on Sunday.

Club World Cup final showdown: Underdogs with bite

Club World Cup final narratives often pit the Champions League winners against the rest, and the 2024-25 edition is no different. PSG arrive in Jeddah boasting a perfect domestic treble, a record-breaking Champions League run and a tournament-high 11 goals en route to the decider. Yet Chelsea’s young, hungry squad believe the one-off nature of the Club World Cup final levels the playing field. “We respect what PSG have achieved,” Fernandez told club media, “but respect is not fear. On the day, it will be eleven versus eleven.”

Enzo Fernandez: The metronome Chelsea rely on

Signed for a British-record fee, the World Cup-winning midfielder has become the heartbeat of Mauricio Pochettino’s evolving project. In the semi-final he posted a 93 per cent pass completion rate, won five duels and created three chances. “Controlling the rhythm will be crucial,” he said. Against PSG’s star-studded midfield of Vitinha, Fabián Ruiz and Warren Zaïre-Emery, Fernandez’s ability to receive under pressure and launch progressive passes could be Chelsea’s decisive weapon in the Club World Cup final.

Pochettino versus Luis Enrique: Tactical chess

The Argentine coach knows PSG inside out after an 18-month spell in Paris and has spent the week rehearsing multiple shapes. Sources at Cobham suggest Chelsea will begin in a 4-2-3-1, with Fernandez and Moisés Caicedo screening the back four while Conor Gallagher presses high. Luis Enrique, meanwhile, has hinted at a 3-4-3 designed to overload the half-spaces and release Kylian Mbappé behind Chelsea’s full-backs. The chess match could swing on which manager adapts fastest once the Club World Cup final whistle blows for kick-off.

Key battles that could decide the Club World Cup final

Mbappé vs Reece James

Chelsea’s captain returned from injury with two immaculate outings and is likely to shadow Mbappé. If James wins this duel, PSG’s goal threat diminishes sharply.

Thiago Silva vs his former club

The 40-year-old Brazilian faces PSG for the first time since leaving. His experience in reading diagonal balls to Ousmane Dembélé or Randal Kolo Muani may keep Chelsea’s defensive line calm.

Nicolas Jackson vs Marquinhos

Jackson’s movement between the lines caused chaos for Palmeiras in the semi-final. Dragging Marquinhos out of position would open channels for Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer.

Momentum matters: How both teams reached the final

• Chelsea 2-0 Fluminense – Fernandez’s early strike and Palmer’s late curler secured a comfortable win.
• PSG 4-1 Monterrey – Mbappé hat-trick illuminated a ruthless display, underlining why bookmakers favour PSG in the Club World Cup final.

History on the line for Chelsea

The Blues have lifted every major honour since Roman Abramovich’s take-over in 2003 except this one. Previous attempts ended in heartbreak against Corinthians (2012) and Palmeiras (2022). Fernandez insists lessons have been learned: “We know South American teams bring intensity, but so do PSG. We’ve worked on coping with transitions and set-pieces; we’re ready.”

Stats that fuel Chelsea’s belief

• Chelsea have lost only once in 18 matches against French opponents in FIFA competitions.
• Under Pochettino they average 2.3 goals per game outside the Premier League.
• Fernandez and Caicedo combined have made more interceptions (27) than any midfield pairing in the tournament.

The PSG juggernaut—and where cracks might appear

Luis Enrique’s side press ferociously, recycle possession with 92 per cent accuracy and boast Mbappé’s lethal finishing. Yet they can look vulnerable when opponents flood the wide channels. Lens exploited this in Ligue 1, and Chelsea possess explosive wingers capable of repeating the trick in the Club World Cup final. Additionally, Gianluigi Donnarumma’s distribution under pressure has led to turnovers; Gallagher’s relentless press could capitalise.

Travel, climate and fan factor

While PSG arrived in Saudi Arabia four days early, Chelsea landed only 48 hours before kick-off due to a rescheduled Premier League fixture. Pochettino downplayed fatigue concerns, highlighting intensive heat-acclimatisation sessions. Ticket allocations are even, but local supporters leaning toward global superstar Mbappé mean the Blues will likely face a partisan atmosphere in the Club World Cup final.

Potential starting XIs

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; James, Disasi, Thiago Silva, Chilwell; Fernandez, Caicedo; Palmer, Gallagher, Sterling; Jackson.
PSG (3-4-3): Donnarumma; Marquinhos, Skriniar, Hernández; Hakimi, Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha, Mendes; Dembélé, Mbappé, Barcola.

What victory would mean for Chelsea

Securing the Club World Cup final trophy would cement Pochettino’s tenure and signal that Chelsea’s youthful rebuild is ahead of schedule. It would also complete the club’s collection of major honours, enhancing the allure for future transfer targets. Financially, FIFA’s increased prize money—rumoured to be £15 million for the winner—would offset FFP pressures.

Quotes from the camp

“Confidence comes from hard work on the training pitch,” Pochettino noted. “We believe in our structure and our players’ courage.” Veteran Thiago Silva added, “I have great memories at PSG, but sentiment stays outside the pitch. I want to lift this cup with Chelsea.”

Where and when to watch

The Club World Cup final kicks off at 20:00 local time (17:00 GMT) at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. Viewers in the UK can watch live on TNT Sports, while U.S. audiences can stream via Paramount+. Global radio commentary will be available through Chelsea’s official app and PSG’s digital platforms.

Club World Cup final legacy: More than a trophy

For many neutrals, the tournament still fights for prestige, yet players cherish the chance to be called world champions. Chelsea’s 2022 disappointment remains fresh in supporters’ minds; erasing that with victory over Europe’s form team would be a statement felt far beyond west London.

Our opinion

Chelsea enter the Club World Cup final as underdogs, but the clash feels closer than the form book suggests. If Fernandez dictates tempo and James contains Mbappé, a narrow Chelsea win is plausible. Conversely, any lapse against PSG’s clinical front line could see the match slip away quickly. Expect a tense, tactical battle settled by fine margins—exactly the kind of stage where self-belief, as Fernandez proclaims, can tilt history.