Chelsea Aims for Club World Cup Final Against Fluminense

Chelsea's young team is gearing up for a crucial semi-final match against Fluminense in the Club World Cup, led by the experienced Thiago Silva. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter as both teams aim for a spot in the final. Silva, a former Chelsea player, has returned to Fluminense, where he began his career. With a mix of seasoned players and emerging talents, Chelsea is determined to secure victory and advance to the final, where they could face formidable opponents like Real Madrid or PSG. Read on to find out more about this exciting clash and the players to watch.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 7, 2025, 16:10 IST

Chelsea's Ambition in the Club World Cup

East Rutherford: Chelsea's youthful squad is setting its sights on reaching the Club World Cup final as they prepare to face Fluminense in the semi-finals on Tuesday. The Brazilian side is led by former Chelsea defender Thiago Silva, who continues to impress at the age of 40.

Silva, a seasoned player when he joined Chelsea in 2020, enjoyed a remarkable four-year tenure at Stamford Bridge.

Regarded as one of the top centre-backs of his era, Silva transitioned to Chelsea after an eight-year spell at Paris Saint-Germain, winning the UEFA Champions League in his debut season.

During his time with Chelsea, he made 155 appearances and departed a year ago, having played a crucial role in nurturing the young talents now under the guidance of Enzo Maresca.

"He's a football legend and an exceptional player," remarked Marc Cucurella, who played alongside Silva for two years, noting their recent exchanges about the upcoming match.

Silva's Return to Fluminense

Silva first gained recognition at Fluminense, where he was part of the squad that reached the Copa Libertadores final in 2008, ultimately losing to LDU Quito from Ecuador.

After leaving Chelsea, he returned to Fluminense, donning the green, red, and white colors of the Rio de Janeiro club, which clinched the Copa Libertadores title in 2023.

Earlier this year, he reunited with Renato Gaucho, the coach from 2008, who is currently in his sixth term with the team.

Fluminense's impressive journey in the Club World Cup includes a draw against Borussia Dortmund in the group stage, a victory over Inter Milan in the round of 16, and a win against Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal in the quarter-finals.

"If you had asked me earlier if we would reach this stage, I would have thought it was a long shot," Silva stated to DAZN following the win over Al Hilal.

"The financial disparity between teams is significant, but our strong team spirit often provides us with unexpected strength."

Facing Brazilian Rivals Again

Fluminense's squad features not only Silva but also 44-year-old goalkeeper Fabio, 35-year-old wing-back Samuel Xavier, and 37-year-old forward German Cano.

The standout player for Fluminense is 27-year-old Colombian winger Jhon Arias, who has been a key performer in the tournament.

"I've watched their matches, and they are very well organized with talented players. The manager is doing an excellent job," Maresca commented as he prepares to face Brazilian teams for the third time in the tournament.

Chelsea previously lost to Flamengo in the group stage but triumphed over Palmeiras in the quarter-finals in Philadelphia.

"The energy from Brazilian teams in this competition is high, likely because they are at the start of their season while we have just concluded ours," Maresca added.

Chelsea will experience the MetLife Stadium, a massive venue with a capacity of 82,500, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, near New York City.

Youthful Talent in Chelsea's Roster

Many of Maresca's players may have been uncertain about FIFA's new tournament, which follows a season where they finished fourth in the Premier League and secured the UEFA Conference League title.

However, they now find themselves just one match away from the final, where they could face either Real Madrid or PSG.

With Silva's departure, Maresca has been focusing on a younger squad at Chelsea, with the average age of his starting lineup against Palmeiras being just 24.

New talents are also joining Chelsea, including 23-year-old Brazilian forward Joao Pedro, who made his debut in the quarter-finals.

Brazilian prodigy Estevao Willian, 18, will join from Palmeiras for the next season, and 20-year-old winger Jamie Gittens has recently signed from Borussia Dortmund.

Moises Caicedo, the pivotal midfielder at just 23 years old, will return to the lineup against Fluminense after serving a suspension.