Last updated on July 12, 2025
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Chelsea don’t need to dominate possession — they just need to make PSG uncomfortable.
Image credit: Dennoh but originally from Fabrizio Romano
Let’s be honest — Chelsea are the underdogs heading into the FIFA Club World Cup final. And not just slightly.
They’re going up against Paris Saint-Germain, the European champions who’ve been steamrolling giants like Atlético Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid on their way to this stage.
But football has a funny way of surprising us. We’ve seen it before.
And if Chelsea want to shock the world this Sunday at MetLife Stadium, they’ll need to be nearly perfect — tactically, mentally, and physically.
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Here’s what needs to go right for the Blues to stand a chance.
1. Defend Like Your Lives Depend on It
This isn’t the time for pretty football or risky play out from the back.
Against this PSG side, you defend first — and ask questions later.
PSG’s front line is terrifying. They had three goals past Real Madrid in under 25 minutes.
If Chelsea want to avoid a similar fate, the defensive setup has to be tight and well-drilled.
Reece James needs to lock down the right flank — no questions.
Levi Colwill’s return from suspension is massive, especially with Ousmane Dembélé lurking.
If Lavia and Caicedo are fit, they have to start in midfield. It’s not just about breaking up play — it’s about being everywhere at once.
Chelsea’s wingers — Pedro Neto and Nkunku — have to be willing to put in the hard yards.
This isn’t a game for luxury players. Everyone defends.
2. Make Life Miserable for PSG’s Midfield
PSG are all flair and finesse up front, but their midfield is the real engine.
Vitinha, Fabián Ruiz, and João Neves control the game like seasoned conductors.
If Chelsea let them get comfortable, it’s over.
That means pressing high, being aggressive, and forcing errors.
Think Caicedo and Enzo buzzing around like bees, making every pass a battle.
Chelsea don’t need to dominate possession — they just need to make PSG uncomfortable.
And if you do that long enough, frustration builds. Mistakes happen. That’s your window.
3. Exploit Their Weakness — Because Yes, They Have One
PSG aren’t untouchable. In fact, they’ll be missing a key man on Sunday — Willian Pacho, their rock at the back, is suspended. Lucas Hernández is out too.
That means PSG are going to have to shuffle things at center-back. Enter Lucas Beraldo, who’s decent — but he’s no Pacho.
This is where Chelsea must pounce.
João Pedro just bagged a brace against Fluminense — why not give him the nod again?
Whether it’s him, Delap, or Jackson, Chelsea need to go after that makeshift defense hard and fast.
If there’s a soft spot in this PSG armor, it’s right there in the middle.
So… Is It Possible?
But we’ve seen football do this before. Underdogs rise. Giants fall.
If Chelsea can stay organized, win the battle in midfield, and hit PSG where they’re weakest, we might just witness a shock that no one saw coming.
One match. One trophy. One chance.
Let’s see what the Blues are made of.
