It’s another big night for us Chelsea fans as we take on Palmeiras in the Club World Cup quarter-final. The match kicks off tonight, and honestly, I’m both excited and nervous. These games might not get the same hype as Champions League nights, but they mean a lot, especially when you know there’s a trophy on the line.
People might downplay this competition, but I don’t. A trophy is a trophy, and whenever Chelsea steps onto that pitch, I want us to win, simple. We’ve been through a lot in the past few seasons' new owners, managers in and out, players coming and going, injuries, form issues, you name it. But moments like this remind us that the badge still means something. That we're still a club fighting to make history.
Palmeiras aren’t going to be easy. They’ve got quality, especially with that young baller Estevao ironically, he’s joining Chelsea soon, but for now he’s our opponent. And their fans? Passionate as ever. South American teams never come lightly in these tournaments. They fight hard, and they’ve got pride on the line too.
For Chelsea, it’s about getting the job done. We’re missing Caicedo due to suspension, and Lavia might not be ready either. That could be a worry in midfield, but I believe in Enzo and Gallagher to step up. Gallagher, especially, has been a real engine for us. He might not always get headlines, but he works his socks off every time.
I’m curious to see if João Pedro makes his debut tonight. Signed for £55 million and thrown straight into the spotlight, it would be nice to see what he’s got. Jackson and Palmer will need to step up in attack, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Sterling or Mudryk makes a big impact off the wings. This is the kind of match where individual brilliance could decide it.
Kepa will need to be alert as always. I’ve had my doubts about him in the past, but he pulled off a world-class save against Benfica and helped us get to this point. He’s got to stay sharp tonight because Palmeiras will test us.
Then there’s the manager, Enzo Maresca. Still early days, but matches like this give us a glimpse into what he’s building. Can he set the team up right? Will he make the right calls at the right moments? We’ll see. I want to believe we’re slowly turning a corner as a team.
At the end of the day, it’s about pride and momentum. Winning this match doesn’t just get us into the semis, it sends a message. That Chelsea are back to fighting for trophies again. That this team still has fire. That the rebuild isn’t just talk.
To all my fellow Chelsea fans: enjoy tonight. Cheer loud. Back the boys. Whether you’re watching from Stamford Bridge or streaming from your phone in bed, this is for us. We deserve moments like this after all we’ve been through.
Let’s bring that trophy home. Let’s remind them who we are.
Up Blues! 💙
Thanks for your time.
