Chelsea started their FIFA Club World Cup with a 2-0 over Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC. The match was being played at the Mercedes Benz Arena in Atlanta. Which highlighted how the Blues dominated the game in every aspect of the game. The game also saw the introduction of many new faces for the Blues on both the bench and the pitch, with the presence of former Ipswich player Liam Delap. The game ended in a score line of 2-0. With goals coming from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandes. In both the first half and the second half of the game respectively. Los Angeles FC with the duo of world cup winning French players Oliver Giroud and ex-Spurs keeper Hugo Loris did not make the difference. But the main talking point from the game can be the thousands of empty seats for this major event held by FIFA.
Delap’s debut. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/JLBDQqn7bL
With many new faces at the camp for the Blues. The Blues showed a very dominating performance against their opposition coming from America. But the main talking point for Chelsea would be the class shown by Liam Delap. The new face coming from the Tractor Boys side in the Premier League came from the bench to help his team. Extending their difference of 1 goal to 2 goals with a perfect run of play to give an assist to Enzo Fernandes. Leading to the second goal for the Blues making it 2-0. The England U-21 player set himself on a perfect run driving the attention of LAFC captain  Aaron Long. Making up the space to slot an opportunity for Enzo to score. After some minutes of play he just short to provide another assist before the play died down. Players like Nicolas Jackson and Pedro Neto also showed brilliance.
The Mercedes Benz arena at Atlanta with a maximum seating capacity of about 71,000 was only able to fill about 21,000 seats in this match. Telling about the story of most of the games in the FIFA Club World Cup. The Lionel Messi’s opener against Al Ahly was able to attract the maximum of 60,000 fans. Other than that most of the games are left with thousands of empty seats. Even if the big gun team across the world are playing their games. This spark concerns about next year’s upcoming FIFA World Cup going to be in the same places as this one. The main reasons are that being a weekday and a 3 pm afternoon match has led to such a low turnout. Along with very high prices for the ticket are another reason being said.
Chelsea’s performance against LAFC was not only about goals but how they maintained their control and shape over the game. From the very first whistle, they pressed high on the pitch. Making the play difficult for LAFC as a result they were comfortable in maintaining a comfortable lead as the game moved on. Enzo Maresca’s game plan was perfect with a perfect midfield duo of Lavia and Caicedo to operate. Along with the fresh new introduction Liam Delap his assist to the second goal. It was a perfect game of display for both disciplined and attacking play football.
Chelsea will next take on Brazilian side Flamengo in Philadelphia on Friday 20th June. At the same time, LAFC will take on ES Tunis in Nashville. The group stage match for Group D will end next Tuesday in 25th of June. With Chelsea taking on ES Tunis and Flamengo taking on LAFC. The Blues are current favorites to top the group and advance to the next stage of the competition.
Palmer in the 10. pic.twitter.com/EC5N1PS8rp
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