Chelsea

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter in New York

Image source, Getty Images

It is an example of Moises Caicedo's humility that he is more comfortable with saying he is the best table tennis player around, rather than saying he is the best midfielder around.

The 23-year-old ended the debate around his £115m fee from Brighton in a season when he started every Premier League game for Chelsea, played more minutes than anyone else and is now regarded as one of the club's star players alongside Cole Palmer.

The Ecuador midfielder also won both Chelsea's Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year awards.

When asked if he is among the best in the world in his position, Caicedo replied: "I don't think that. I am working on that. I want to become one of the best midfielders in the world but I am too far right now.

"I am working hard every day and want to show it on the pitch."

A Club World Cup final against Champions League-winners Paris St-Germain offers chance to prove himself in a way where he cannot be denied such status.

"Yes, exactly," he added. "I want to do my talking on the pitch, showing my great football and then people can talk about me.

"You know people always talk when you are doing well. Even when they say bad things, I don't care because I just want to help my team and I focus on that."

In this more than one-month long tournament in the United States, Chelsea's players have spent a lot of time together and, when it comes to a club table tennis tournament at the team's various hotels, Caicedo insists in that arena he is the best.

"Yes, I am the best at that.. I am the best, I am the best!" he added while laughing. "It's good, fun and we have been having a good time and a lot of laughs. Who is the worst? I won't say that!"

There have been doubts about Caicedo's fitness for Sunday's showpiece after he came off early with an ankle problem in the semi-final win over Fluminense, but there was positive news as he trained with the squad on Thursday.

Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Joao Pedro registered 26 touches of the ball against Fluminense. Of all Chelsea forwards to have started at the Club World Cup, only Jackson has managed as many touches in a match.

Not all of the Brazilian's touches took place inside the opposition half, however – far from it.

He was involved all over the pitch in Tuesday's semi-final, with seven of his touches coming inside his own half.

"The good thing about Joao is that we knew already how good he was," said Maresca after the game, also revealing he spoke to ex-Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi prior to signing him.

"Today he played deep but we know he is able to drop deep and link up the play. That's why we decided to bring him in."

By contrast, Delap only touched the ball twice inside his own half after starting Chelsea's final group game against Tunis, while only four of Jackson's touches against Los Angeles FC took place in the Blues' half of the pitch.

Joao Pedro also made more of an impact in wide areas, regularly popping up on both flanks in an effort to influence Chelsea's build-up play.

The majority of Delap and Jackson's touches, meanwhile, were in central areas in the final third of the pitch.

"Every team has a different style to play: Delap has a style, Jackson another and I have my way," Joao Pedro said before Tuesday's game.

"I think whoever brings more good things to the team is going to play."

On this evidence, Joao Pedro has more than an outside chance of beating both Delap and Jackson to a starting berth in Sunday's showpiece.

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We asked for your views on Chelsea reaching the final of the Club World Cup after beating Fluminense 2-0 on Tuesday, thanks to two Joao Pedro goals.

Here are some of your comments:

Chris: Fantastic result - well done, lads. It looks like our search for a great striker is finally over. The two goals reminded me of the sort of goals Drogba regularly scored. Good memories again.

Leigh: Good performance. Pedro looks like he has clicked with his team-mates already. Just the keeper needs sorting, and we could have a phenomenal squad. However, whoever we face in the final is going to be a big test for our young squad.

Rob: Let's hope Pedro can conquer his past temperament problems and knuckle down. We don't need a second Nicolas Jackson.

Anon: Overall, a very good performance from Chelsea. Pedro Neto again was outstanding. Jackson fluffed his lines and looked uninterested. Every time Robert Sanchez was involved, I was nervous. Although he didn't have much to do, it showed why he is a real liability - slow, laboured passing, resulting in a yellow card too. Fantastic full debut and goals from Pedro.

Nick: Chelsea were in control throughout and never seriously under threat. While Pedro rightly takes the headlines, there were good performances all round, including from Malo Gusto, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Neto. Looking forward to the final, where Chelsea have every chance.

Jeff: Slow start to the competition, but the semi-final was played in front of a huge crowd. Given the financial rewards and experience, maybe the best pre-season or post-season ever! Congratulations to the management on agreeing to play.

Emlyn Begley
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Much has been made about the vast riches on offer at this year's Club World Cup - and Chelsea are now closing in on the jackpot.

Tuesday's 2-0 win over Fluminense not only saw them book their spot in the final but also pocket almost an extra £22m in prize money.

The potential prize money was initially reported as £97m but the exchange rate between US dollars and British pounds has changed since then, meaning the maximum available was in the region of £92m.

Manchester City were on course to win that, earning the maximum participation fee of £27.8m and winning all of their group games - only to then go out in the last 16.

The participation fee for European teams varies depending on "sporting and commercial criteria".

Chelsea are on the upper end of the scale but do not get quite as much, BBC Sport has been told, meaning the total prize money available was slightly lower than for City.

How much have Chelsea now earned?

Chelsea's semi-final win over Brazilian side Fluminense takes their total prize pot to about £80m, although Fifa has not confirmed their exact participation fee.

On top of the £21.9m for reaching the final, the Blues will win another £7.3m if they lift the trophy.

How does the prize money equate to signings?

Joao Pedro, signed from Brighton in a deal potentially worth £60m, repaid about a third of his transfer fee with his two decisive goals against Fluminense.

But Chelsea's total prize money for the competition would be more than enough to pay for the deal which brought him to the club - with a bit more left over going towards the £30m signing of Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap.

It will also help towards the £29m they will pay for Palmeiras winger Estevao Willian after the Club World Cup, while Jamie Gittens - a £48.5m signing from Dortmund - is another expensive new arrival.

To put the total potential prize pot of £91.4m into context, only about 12 transfer fees in football history amount to more.

Get the full lowdown on the Club World Cup prize money

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea's victory over Fluminense, which sets up a final against Paris St-Germain or Real Madrid, guarantees European sides will extend their stranglehold over the Club World Cup.

While there have been several notable results for South American and Asian teams at this summer's expanded tournament, including Al-Hilal eliminating Manchester City, this will be the 12th time in a row a European club has been crowned champions.

The last winners from outside of Uefa were Brazilian outfit Corinthians in 2012, who coincidentally beat Chelsea in the final.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter in New York

Image source, Getty Images

Pedro Neto has dedicated his involvement in the upcoming Club World Cup final to Diogo Jota - his former team-mate who died in a car crash last week.

The 25-year-old winger played with Jota at Wolves before he joined Liverpool and with Portugal.

Neto paid tribute to Jota before the quarter-final win over Palmeiras and again referenced him after Chelsea beat Fluminense 2-0 at MetLife Stadium on Tuesday to reach Sunday's final against either Real Madrid or Paris St-Germain.

"It's been really difficult in the past few days and I just want to leave a message that this final is for him and his brother," Neto said. "It's a really tough time for me, difficult to speak about it and let's hope I can do it for him.

"But I want to dedicate this final to him and his family and show my support in these difficult times for them."

The conversation naturally moved to Chelsea's achievement in reaching the final of a lucrative and newly expanded Club World Cup, with Neto their top scorer on three goals.

He added: "The results speak for themselves and show how hard we've been working. We've been doing good things and we've improved a lot. We all think there is more to come from this team.

"We hope to finish in the best way. It would be unbelievable, a dream come true and I'm really, really looking forward to playing this final and hopefully winning it on Sunday."

Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea are not exactly short of riches in the forward department, but Joao Pedro may have just given himself a head start over his new attacking colleagues before Sunday's Club World Cup final.

The former Brighton striker was handed his first start in the semi-final against Fluminense – his boyhood side – and announced his arrival with two stunning strikes either side of half-time.

The Brazilian found the net with two of his three attempts, and with both his efforts on target. Only Christopher Nkunku registered as many shots, while no other Blues player had as many shots on target.

Pedro also gave Chelsea an attacking focal point, competing in nine duels and four aerial duels before being replaced by Nicolas Jackson on the hour mark.

Only Nkunku and Moises Caicedo - both of whom were on the pitch a lot longer - registered more duels overall, with only Marc Cucurella and Trevoh Chalobah taking part in as many aerial tussles.

"It's not just the goals," said ex-Real Madrid, Tottenham and Wales winger Gareth Bale on DAZN. "It's the link-up play, it's the passing, it's the vision. It was a great all-round performance.

"This is the next step up in his career. He's on the right trajectory. We can see the ability he's got and hopefully he can keep kicking on."

England forward Callum Wilson, who has just left Newcastle United, added: "He's already a player with confidence but he will have wanted to hit the ground running straight away and that's exactly what he has done.

"What a signing he could turn out to be."

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The much-fabled American dream is the concept of hard work delivering riches.

In Chelsea's case, this is true of their players at the Club World Cup. They have extended their season by seven matches in brutal temperatures with additional travel, but may soon have silverware to show for taking it seriously.

They will bank bonuses because the club have earned more than £80m, which could stretch to almost £100m if they lift the trophy.

Goalscorer Joao Pedro was outstanding and won the official man of the match award, but so was winger Pedro Neto, who is also potentially the Blues' best performer at the competition and a contender to be crowned player of the tournament.

Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella were also good, while Christopher Nkunku produced arguable his best display of 2025, despite continued links with a move away from Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are monitoring Lyon winger Malick Fofana as competition grows for the 20-year-old Belgian, with Nottingham Forest and Bayern Munich also showing interest in a potential summer move. (Sky Sports), external

Meanwhile, German champions Bayern have held talks with Christopher Nkunku's agent as they consider a move for the Blues forward. (Bild - in German), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, speaking to Dazn after beating Fluminense 2-0 to reach the Club World Cup final: "It is a great achievement. It has been a fantastic season - top four in the Premier League, Conference League and now in the final of this competition. We are so, so happy."

On Joao Pedro's goals: "We know that we have players able to do that. We know we have to help them get in situations where they can do that and we know Joao can do this."

On bringing Nicolas Jackson on after an hour: "Nicolas is our player. He is a striker. He played almost all the games last season. Now Joao started today but yes, he was OK."

On how happy he is with the competition in his squad: "I am very happy, to be honest, because I know how difficult it is with all the games."

On the form of the team: "We go game by game. Finally we have the last game of the season and hopefully we can win the tournament."

On Moises Caicedo's injury: "I told him he has to do everything to be on the pitch on Sunday, so we will see."

On facing Paris St-Germain or Real Madrid: "They are both top teams. One won the Champions League this season, the other one last season. They are top teams but we are proud and we are happy to be there."

It's all over at MetLife Stadium where Chelsea have reached the Club World Cup final thanks to two goals from new striker Joao Pedro.

Send us your thoughts on the outcome

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Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea and Scotland winger

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Why was Palmeiras youngster Estevao Willian trying so hard for his side against Chelsea this weekend when he is set to become a Blues player after this tournament? The answer is that he is a good pro who will do the right thing and has the right attitude.

It shouldn't even be a question. Every player should always give everything to the team currently employing him, even up until the last moment of the last game. Any player who doesn't has his moral compass badly out of whack.

Chelsea go marching on to the semi-finals with £55m signing Joao Pedro sitting on the bench. Liam Delap and Estevao, who cost another almost £60m, are waiting in the wings. Jamie Gittens - a snip at £48m from Borussia Dortmund - is also ready to join the group.

So far, so Chelsea. But on the same day this week, they were also fined £27m by Uefa for breaching spending guidelines.

Fans of other clubs will be flabbergasted Chelsea can continually keep splashing the cash when they have demonstrably broken the financial rules and bent a few others wildly out of shape.

However, we are in a strange, post-reality world. Getting multi-million pound fines is not considered problematic for the club or for the integrity of the sport.

Other clubs who sweetly and somewhat naively played within the rules must feel stupid as the Blues cruise to the latter stages of the Club World Cup after qualifying for the Champions League last season, particularly when they consider all the massive financial rewards they provide.

Chelsea will doubtless sell some of their multitude of excess players to get money in the short term. Noni Madueke looks a likely candidate.

Right now, however, it feels uncomfortable and indeed risky.

Then again, I will admit to selfishly really looking forward to a club I favour being a joy to watch next season with the quality they will have on show... how fickle we fans are.

Sign up to read more from Pat Nevin in his Football Extra newsletter

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Former Chelsea defender Thiago Silva says he will help current club Fluminense's coaching staff with some "interesting details" about his old side before their meeting in the Club World Cup semi-final on Tuesday (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Silva spent four years at Stamford Bridge, making 151 appearances and winning the Champions League, before departing in 2024.

"I don't know Enzo Maresca that well, but I know a lot of the players there. I speak to them practically every week and some of them are very close to me," the 40-year-old said after joking that he is "not a spy".

"I'm happy about this match. It's going to be a special day for me, but it will be even more special if we qualify.

"The expectations are high and the anxiety is high about facing them in a Club World Cup semi-final, so I'm trying to help the coaching staff with some interesting details – but they are things that will stay between us.

"I was in London a little while ago to see my kids, so I went to training. Of course I can't give too much away, but we've prepared for this match. I think that's the most important thing.

"But whoever is on the other side, I think Fluminense have a special crowd, a special aura. I hope that can work tomorrow too."

Fluminense manager Renato Gaucho highlighted the gulf in resources between the two clubs in his pre-match news conference, but stated his belief in his team to go on and win the trophy.

"We are an ugly duckling in financial terms," he said. "Fluminense's finances are not 10% of these European clubs.

"They have the means to hire the individual players to give themselves higher chances of winning. We are ugly ducklings but that doesn't mean we can't win the Club World Cup."

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Club World Cup semi-final against Fluminense at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey (20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Maresca confirmed Romeo Lavia will not be available and is currently back in training individually.

• On Noni Madueke's mindset amid reports linking him with a move to Arsenal: "Personally, I think it was the same noise before the Palmeiras. I don't have any doubt Noni can help us as he was very good for 30 minutes. I understand it is not easy to deal with the noise, also, but hopefully he can deal with that."

• When asked about coping without the suspended Levi Colwill and Liam Delap, Maresca said: "In the last game, we had Romeo out, Moi [Caicedo] out and Reece [James] out and we found a solution. With Levi and Liam out, we will find a different solution. Joao [Pedro] is ready, also Nico [Jackson]."

• On Jackson, who himself returns from suspension: "Nico is training well. Unfortunately, in almost his last two games he was sent off. Unfortunately for him and us. He is working well. He played the Conference League final and scored. At this moment, he is OK."

• Maresca believes new signing Joao Pedro can play in a variety of roles: "I think Joao can play in all the attacking positions for us, wide, number 10 and as a number nine. The difference with Nico is I see him as just a number nine whereas I see Joao in different positions."

• He was asked whether he wished his players were like former Blues defender and current Fluminense captain Thiago Silva and responded: "I am happy in the way our players are."

• On Silva, he added: We respect Thiago, absolutely. But we prepare the game against Fluminense. We need to be careful about many different things."

• On Caicedo's significance: "Moi has been one of the best players of the season. He's a very important player for us and his team-mates. We also have Romeo, we used Andrey Santos in that position - we are quite happy but more happy when Moi is in the team."

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Chelsea striker Joao Pedro says he was on holiday in Brazil when the chance came to make a "dream" move Stamford Bridge.

The 23-year-old sealed a £55m switch from Brighton last week and is now in a position to start for his new club at the Club World Cup as they prepare to face Fluminense - the club he played youth football for - in the semi-finals.

Asked about his condition, he told BBC Sport: "I was on holidays, but I was always training and if I'm going to start or not, it's not my decision but I will try to improve, be ready for Enzo and if he needs me so we will see tomorrow.

"I was in Brazil, with my friends. In Rio but I have a personal trainer and I trained as well so I was ready. Imagine if I didn't train and Chelsea called me to come then it would be more difficult for me. I was on holiday with friends and family but I made sure I was ready.

"I knew Chelsea had an interest in me so that's why I was training harder and when they called me to come here I was ready, not 100% but ready enough to come here and train."

On what inspired him to join he said: "I think Chelsea is a big club and my dream was always to play for a big club and to win trophies. Chelsea have a great team, a young team and I think that's why I came here.

"When I left Watford I was in the Championship, then I went to Brighton. If you watch the group stage of the Europa League I was top scorer and I'm ready for a new challenge.

"That's why I joined Chelsea."

Pedro said he may choose not to celebrate if he scores against Fluminense and added he was "very grateful" for the club's role in his development.

There is a chance he could play in tandem with summer signing Liam Delap or be deployed in a support role.

"I would say I am a striker," Pedro told media when asked about his preferred position.

"I like to play as a number nine. But also I like to feel free on the pitch. And that's what Enzo said to me, 'Play like a number nine but come deeper to link up with the other players'. I am a very technical player. I like to score as well. I play like a nine, but I also have the mind of a 10 as well. I think this combination will be good for my team-mates and for Chelsea."

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Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca will speak to the media later on Monday before Tuesday's Club World Cup semi-final against Fluminense.

Midfielder Moises Caicedo is available to return after serving his suspension, but Liam Delap and Levi Colwill will both miss out after collecting their second bookings of the tournament.

Maresca is expected to provide a fitness update on Reece James and Romeo Lavia who missed the quarter-finals through injury.