Chelsea are one game away from lifting the FIFA Club World Cup after a composed and confident 2-0 victory over South American champions Fluminense.
On a night filled with purpose and poise, it was debutant Joao Pedro who stole the headlines, bagging a brilliant brace and propelling the Blues into the final of a prestigious global competition.
The young Brazilian striker couldn’t have dreamed of a better start to life in Chelsea blue. With two well-taken goals, he announced his arrival on the world stage in style, helping the club take another step towards silverware under Enzo Maresca.
Yet, while the victory has not only sent Chelsea into the final but also pushed the club’s tournament earnings close to an eye-watering £80 million, the Blues boss insists financial windfalls are the last thing on his mind.
“I am happy for the club,” Maresca said after the match, “but I don’t prepare games thinking about if the club has more money.”
While the financial implications of progressing in the tournament are undeniably significant, Maresca’s focus remains squarely on the pitch — where trophies, not bank balances, define a team’s legacy.
Chelsea will now face either Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain in the final, setting up a mouthwatering clash against one of Europe’s heavyweights. But regardless of the opponent, Maresca is laser-focused on performance, not prize money.
This level of focus and discipline from the manager is exactly what Chelsea fans have been longing for — a coach who values footballing identity above all else. While others might get distracted by the staggering numbers surrounding modern football, Maresca remains grounded, with his eyes fixed on footballing excellence.
With Joao Pedro’s electric debut and a growing sense of unity and confidence within the squad, Chelsea have every reason to believe that their name could soon be etched into Club World Cup history for a second time.
And if they do go on to lift the trophy, one thing’s for sure — it’ll be because of vision, discipline, and belief. Not the money.