2 hours ago, TokyoBlue said:

I see it similar to when the first world cups were held in the 1930's. England turned down a chance to attend and regretted it.

Also Chelsea turned down the chance to play in the inaugural European Cup in 1955 due to pressure form the FA. A huge mistake.

Football has become truly global. We've earned our spot and can't waste the opportunity.

It's not the same at all. It's an absurd time to introduce a competition into the schedule when teams all over the world, especially Europe, are struggling with so many injuries. It feels like you don't care about the impact this will have on Chelsea in the long run and just want this to happen for selfish reasons. We are struggling horribly as it is and if we go into yet another season with a ton of injuries and tired players, it will be another season we will write off, and being out of Europe again could be disastrous for the club.

I like the idea of this competition, but until the scheduling of football actually starts taking the welfare of players seriously, it shouldn't happen. If we only send a bunch of kids, I would be perfectly happy with that.

On 02/01/2024 at 11:25, Scott Harris said:

It's not the same at all. It's an absurd time to introduce a competition into the schedule when teams all over the world, especially Europe, are struggling with so many injuries. It feels like you don't care about the impact this will have on Chelsea in the long run and just want this to happen for selfish reasons. We are struggling horribly as it is and if we go into yet another season with a ton of injuries and tired players, it will be another season we will write off, and being out of Europe again could be disastrous for the club.

I like the idea of this competition, but until the scheduling of football actually starts taking the welfare of players seriously, it shouldn't happen. If we only send a bunch of kids, I would be perfectly happy with that.

I get your point, and injuries need to be avoided as always. Coach can play which ever players he sees fit. If he don't want to risk anyone, he does not have to.

However, I don't see this as a season event. I see this as part of Chelsea's legacy. We are already the only London club to win the Champions League and current Club World Cup. It's likely we'll be the only London club to play in this tournament for a long time. If we win it, then it's next level.

As for too many games, we usually have a packed pre-season schedule. For example in 2019 we played 9 pre-season games. This should replace most of that (depending how far we go) and actually mean something.

If we opted out, there are plenty of other teams that would jump at the chance.

Edited January 4, 20242 yr by TokyoBlue

2 hours ago, TokyoBlue said:

I get your point, and injuries need to be avoided as always. Coach can play which ever players he sees fit. If he don't want to risk anyone, he does not have to.

However, I don't see this as a season event. I see this as part of Chelsea's legacy. We are already the only London club to win the Champions League and current Club World Cup. It's likely we'll be the only London club to play in this tournament for a long time. If we win it, then it's next level.

As for too many games, we usually have a packed pre-season schedule. For example in 2019 we played 9 pre-season games. This should replace most of that (depending how far we go) and actually mean something.

If we opted out, there are plenty of other teams that would jump at the chance.

It wouldn't replace pre-season because it would be taking place two weeks after the 2024-25 season ends. The tournament takes place between June 15th to July 13th. We would finish the 2024-25 season, go straight to the club world cup, then go straight into pre-season for the 2025-26 season. The players can't take July off either, because if they did, they would lose all match sharpness and get dominated by almost any team in the league.

This is impossible to manage without completely burning out the squad. The 2025-26 season would be a disaster if we send our first team over to play in this tournament.

46 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

It wouldn't replace pre-season because it would be taking place two weeks after the 2024-25 season ends. The tournament takes place between June 15th to July 13th. We would finish the 2024-25 season, go straight to the club world cup, then go straight into pre-season for the 2025-26 season. The players can't take July off either, because if they did, they would lose all match sharpness and get dominated by almost any team in the league.

This is impossible to manage without completely burning out the squad. The 2025-26 season would be a disaster if we send our first team over to play in this tournament.

What's ridiculous is the price money. 50m euros for qualifying and 100m euros if you win the whole thing. I can't see Clearlake not forcing our first team to go and try and win it. 

Maybe the Premier League will postpone Chelsea/City's first couple fixtures? 

12 hours ago, Sconnie Blue said:

What's ridiculous is the price money. 50m euros for qualifying and 100m euros if you win the whole thing. I can't see Clearlake not forcing our first team to go and try and win it. 

Maybe the Premier League will postpone Chelsea/City's first couple fixtures? 

I was not aware of that prize money. 50m euros for qualifying - is that every team? Some teams in this competition will never have seen that kind of money.

€50m Euro in the bank for this already apparently (as per Evissy's comment on the Boehly thread)

On 04/01/2024 at 12:39, Scott Harris said:

It wouldn't replace pre-season because it would be taking place two weeks after the 2024-25 season ends. The tournament takes place between June 15th to July 13th. We would finish the 2024-25 season, go straight to the club world cup, then go straight into pre-season for the 2025-26 season. The players can't take July off either, because if they did, they would lose all match sharpness and get dominated by almost any team in the league.

This is impossible to manage without completely burning out the squad. The 2025-26 season would be a disaster if we send our first team over to play in this tournament.

This year most of our squad will be going to the euros or copa America at that time. In 2026 they will be going to the world cup. It's the same thing. 

Our first team will be going and they'll be playing it at 100% intensity. 

It's going to be a big deal. 

4 hours ago, bisright1 said:

This year most of our squad will be going to the euros or copa America at that time. In 2026 they will be going to the world cup. It's the same thing. 

Our first team will be going and they'll be playing it at 100% intensity. 

It's going to be a big deal. 

It's not the same thing though, because they don't get a single season to recover.

2024 - Euro's / Copa America

2025 - Club World Cup

2026 - World Cup

3 straight years of no rest. The injuries will never end and we will never progress as a squad.

2 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

It's not the same thing though, because they don't get a single season to recover.

2024 - Euro's / Copa America

2025 - Club World Cup

2026 - World Cup

3 straight years of no rest. The injuries will never end and we will never progress as a squad.

It's what it is though. 

We aren't going to rest our team for the club world cup, especially with the money on offer.

On 19/04/2024 at 08:57, Sexyfootball said:

€50m Euro in the bank for this already apparently (as per Evissy's comment on the Boehly thread)

It’s kinda sad what we’ve become nowadays really. Remember all the pre season tours we did in USA, no one cared how much the prize money were. We fully trusted the board / Roman and focused on winning trophies, we were a machine.

Now it’s like wow, 50m from pre season tournament, gosh we might get 20m from Musiala sale, maybe Mount sale will be in this year books, it’s all so Arsenal under Wenger. Is it what we have become?

3 hours ago, dansubrosa said:

it’s all so Arsenal under Wenger. Is it what we have become?

This summer will give us a clear indication of their ambitions. 

For me personally it's another nail in the coffin of my love for the game I've followed for almost 60 years.  It's all about the money and no concern at all about the players welfare with these increasingly ridiculous competitions and playing schedules.  Forget the fans, the football ruling bodies have been sh*tting on us for years so we have never been considered. 

 

I think this is a decent lineup. I also think we can beat all of them.

Stadium locations announced:

• MetLife Stadium (New York New Jersey) - FINAL
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta),
• Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte),
• TQL Stadium (Cincinnati),
• Rose Bowl Stadium (Los Angeles),
• Hard Rock Stadium (Miami),
• GEODIS Park (Nashville),
• Camping World Stadium (Orlando),
• Inter&Co Stadium (Orlando),
• Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia),
• Lumen Field (Seattle),
• Audi Field (Washington, D.C.).

https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/club-world-cup/usa-2025/articles/stadium-guide-venues-named

A Chelsea v Fluminense  match would be great to see. I still miss Silva.

24 minutes ago, TokyoBlue said:

Stadium locations announced:

• MetLife Stadium (New York New Jersey) - FINAL
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta),
• Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte),
• TQL Stadium (Cincinnati),
• Rose Bowl Stadium (Los Angeles),
• Hard Rock Stadium (Miami),
• GEODIS Park (Nashville),
• Camping World Stadium (Orlando),
• Inter&Co Stadium (Orlando),
• Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia),
• Lumen Field (Seattle),
• Audi Field (Washington, D.C.).

https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/club-world-cup/usa-2025/articles/stadium-guide-venues-named

Excited for this. Going to take in quite a few games, especially the local ones in Atlanta. 

I hope they address the pitches. Given this is FIFA sanctioned, and assume World Cup requirements may apply, we should get real grass with actual substrate. 

So clubs will be forced to take their strongest squads and pick their strongest team, what happens if they refuse?

https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/13227270/fifas-club-world-cup-regulations

I thought that Real Madrid were not going to take their first team, or so they said a few months ago. Money talks so we’ll see. I hope that we don’t risk our main players, it’s more relevant this European conference league than a random bunch of friendlies in America at the end of the season, and we’re not risking the likes of Palmer or Lavia.

The draw takes place on December the 5th.

FIFA apparently have given up on getting Apple on board for the TV deal or maybe.it was  sponsorship? Have gone back to trying to get others to bid . Doesn't look like FIFA are going to get a financial bonanza at the moment.

The South American teams take this very seriously, so games against them will be hard. 

 

 

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/fifa-club-world-cup-draw-how-to-watch

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup draw takes place tomorrow (Thursday) and you can watch it live on the official Chelsea website and official Chelsea app as the Blues discover our group-stage opponents.

Since we last featured in the competition in February 2022 – the first time we lifted the trophy – the Club World Cup has been expanded and moved to a summer date. Thirty-two teams have qualified and will be in action next summer in the USA to earn the title of world champions.

Here is all the information you need before the draw, which will see us learn the opponents that stand between the Blues and a second global title.

When and where is the FIFA Club World Cup draw?

The tournament will be hosted across several stadiums in the USA, with the draw held in Miami at 6pm UK time on Thursday 5 December.

How can I watch the FIFA Club World Cup draw?

The draw will be shown live from start to finish on the official Chelsea website and the official Chelsea app, so make sure you check in to find out who we will be facing in just the third-ever Club World Cup campaign in Blues history.

Which pot are Chelsea in?

We are in Pot 2 along with the majority of European teams. Pot 1 contains the four highest-ranked sides from Europe and South America; Pot 3 contains the rest of South America and the top two from each of the other continents; the remaining clubs make up Pot 4.

Pot 1: Manchester City (England), Real Madrid (Spain), Bayern Munich (Germany), Paris Saint-Germain (France), Flamengo (Brazil), Palmeiras (Brazil), River Plate (Argentina), Fluminense (Brazil)

Pot 2: Chelsea (England), Borussia Dortmund (Germany), Inter Milan (Italy), Porto (Portugal), Atletico Madrid (Spain), Benfica (Portugal), Juventus (Italy), Red Bull Salzburg (Austria)

Pot 3: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia), Ulsan HD (South Korea), Al Ahly (Egypt), Wydad (Morocco), Monterrey (Mexico), Club Leon (Mexico), Boca Juniors (Argentina), Botafogo (Brazil)

Pot 4: Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan), Al Ain (UAE), Esperance (Tunisia), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Pachuca (Mexico), Seattle Sounders (USA), Auckland City (New Zealand), Inter Miami (USA)

How will the draw work?

The 32 teams from around the world will be separated into eight groups. They will contain one team from each pot and the top two will progress into the last 16. The host venues for each match and the order of fixtures within the groups will be determined after the draw.

Due to there being 12 qualifiers from UEFA for eight groups, Chelsea have a 50-50 chance of being drawn in the same group as another European team.

No two teams from any other continent can be drawn in the same group. We also cannot be placed in the same group as England's other representative, Manchester City.

When is the FIFA Club World Cup?

Fitting a similar schedule to the national teams’ World Cup, the expanded tournament will begin on Friday 15 June 2025 and run for just over four weeks, with the final taking place on Sunday 13 July 2025.

 

"This would mean Chelsea would avoid another UEFA side in the group stage, with the Blues, Dortmund, Inter and Porto set to be drawn against either Flamengo, Palmeiras, River Plate or Fluminense." this from the Daily Mail

does this mean we cant play Manchester City (England), Real Madrid (Spain), Bayern Munich (Germany), and Paris Saint-Germain (France)

if so, why did we draw Bayern Munich in the test draw?

Edited December 4, 20241 yr by POCH OUT

Ok with the rules in mind it would be great  for the draw to be:

 

Flamengo

Chelsea 

Ulsan HD

Miami FC

 

👍

18 minutes ago, POCH OUT said:

"This would mean Chelsea would avoid another UEFA side in the group stage, with the Blues, Dortmund, Inter and Porto set to be drawn against either Flamengo, Palmeiras, River Plate or Fluminense." this from the Daily Mail

does this mean we cant play Manchester City (England), Real Madrid (Spain), Bayern Munich (Germany), and Paris Saint-Germain (France)

if so, why did we draw Bayern Munich in the test draw?

Dunno what the Mail are on about. Looking at the club info it says we've got a 50/50 chance of drawing another European team in our group. 

Edited December 4, 20241 yr by The Rising Sun
Info

Tbh , I would prefer we weren't in this competition.. When we actually won it and became World Club Champions, I don't recall any dancing in the streets or open top bus parade either. In fact, I didn't even watch it.