Blueprint Flipped: How Chelsea Outplayed PSG to Claim Club World Cup Glory

In the high-stakes environment of the expanded Club World Cup final, Chelsea delivered a performance that was not just dominant, but remarkably familiar – at least, familiar to anyone who had watched their opponents, Paris Saint-Germain, dismantle teams throughout the season. The final act saw Chelsea lift the trophy, having decisively beaten the French giants by turning PSG`s own script against them.

For months, PSG had cultivated a reputation as Europe`s most electrifying team by overwhelming adversaries with relentless, high-tempo starts and an aggressive press that suffocated resistance early. They had demonstrated this effectively in their path to the final, including their recent Champions League triumph. On Sunday at MetLife Stadium, however, Chelsea mirrored this approach with startling precision and intensity.

From the opening whistle, Chelsea set an unrelenting tempo. Their pressing was aggressive, effectively disrupting PSG`s rhythm and denying their constellation of talented players the time and space they crave. As Chelsea defender Levi Colwill articulated post-match, the mindset was clear: “We pressed the life out of them… we went and gave everything and that`s what the scoreline reflects.”

This high-energy onslaught paid dividends rapidly. By the half-hour mark, Chelsea had established a commanding 2-0 lead courtesy of a sharp brace from the increasingly indispensable Cole Palmer. Just before halftime, Joao Pedro added a third, putting the game effectively beyond reach. PSG, unaccustomed to being on the receiving end of such early and sustained pressure, visibly fatigued. Individual players who normally thrive on the ball struggled to influence proceedings, and frustration began to surface, culminating in Joao Neves` late red card and a heated exchange post-match.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca highlighted the tactical imperative behind this approach. “I think that PSG are a team that, you either press them high or you`ll be in trouble because they have so many talented players,” Maresca explained. The risk, he noted, was worth it because “if you give them time… you`ll be worse off.”

Interestingly, Chelsea achieved this dominance without dominating possession, holding just 34% of the ball. Their attacking plan was efficient and sharp, generating superior scoring opportunities with 10 shots to PSG`s eight, and an expected goals tally of 2.06 compared to PSG`s 0.53. The strategy involved tactical nuances, including exploiting specific areas by overloading one flank, a tactic Maresca mentioned was planned specifically to target perceived weaknesses in PSG`s midfield alignment involving players like Fabian Ruiz and Vitinha.

Individual performances were key to executing Maresca`s blueprint. Cole Palmer continued his habit of delivering in crucial moments, reaffirming his status as the team`s primary attacking threat. Perhaps more surprisingly, new signing Joao Pedro quickly became a vital component, scoring his third goal in just his third appearance for the club. Maresca praised Pedro`s versatility and, particularly, his effectiveness in congested areas, making him a valuable asset against teams that defend compactly.

This Club World Cup victory arrives amidst a period of significant transformation and, at times, perceived chaos at Chelsea under the BlueCo ownership. A year into Enzo Maresca`s tenure, the picture for this evolving squad might still be developing, but the final provided a compelling demonstration of their potential when tactics, execution, and individual talent converge. It was a significant trophy and a validation of the club`s investment in its rising talents.

With the season concluded on such a high note, the focus now shifts, albeit briefly, to recovery. As Maresca quipped, after 15 non-stop months, a three-week vacation is his immediate priority. However, the performance against PSG leaves a clear message: Chelsea has the tactical intelligence and the personnel to compete at the highest level, even by using their opponent`s best weapon against them.