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SATURDAY | JULY 12, 2025

Malaysian Paper

Final showdown PSG and Chelsea set for Club World Cup curtain call in US

Maresca’s three pressing issues to fix at Chelsea IT’S BEEN a stellar summer holiday for Enzo Maresca, whose Chelsea side have cruised to the Club World Cup final. They’ll be up against it in Monday’s showpiece match against Paris Saint-Germain, but with around £100 million (RM577 million) having been banked in prize money, Maresca and the Chelsea chiefs will leave the United States with smiles on their faces. Despite reaching the final of the Club World Cup, there’s still plenty of work for Maresca and co. to do before the start of the new Premier League season in just over a month’s time. Fix goalkeeper situation Had things worked out differently, there’s every chance Chelsea would’ve had a different goalkeeper between the sticks for the Club World Cup. Mike Maignan was heavily linked with a move to the capital club pre-tournament, with the expectation that Chelsea will try their hand once again ahead of the new season. Having switched between Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen last season, it’s clear Maresca isn’t settled on his No.1 goalkeeper – something that could be about to change this summer. Decide on first-choice striker Speaking of finding a first-choice option, after securing signings for Liam Delap and Joao Pedro, Chelsea certainly have flexibility in the striker department, but it could give Maresca an unwanted headache down the line. If Chelsea want to challenge consistently at the right end of the table next season, Maresca will need a clear idea of who his go-to guys are. Otherwise, they could find themselves in a similar situation as they have done with their wingers this season – plenty of options, but no clear standout. Shift deadwood, trim squad Chelsea’s squad has to get smaller. Joao Felix spent the second half of last season out on loan at AC Milan. Marc Guiu is unlikely to get a sniff with the latest attacking additions. Chelsea started last season with eight goal keepers on their books. Wesley Fofana has been riddled with injuries since joining the club and has shown no sign of staying fit. Ben Chilwell is under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2027. That’s not to mention the likes of Lesley Ugochukwu, Djordje Petrovic, Armando Broja, Renato Veiga, Axel Disasi and Alfie Gilchrist, who all spent last season on loan as well. Express Newspapers

P ARIS ST GERMAIN (PSG) will face Chelsea in the final of Fifa’s revamped 32-team Club World Cup on Monday (3am Malaysian time), capping off a month-long tournament in the United States that, while sparking debates about the weather and calendar, has delivered drama akin to a nations’ World Cup. The French and English sides, two of European football’s most powerful and richest clubs, will compete for the honour of being the first champions of Fifa’s expanded competition, created

glory leading Barcelona to a treble a decade ago, has never lost a one-off club final, winning 11 of 11. Chelsea, meanwhile, have taken the longer road to the final, arriving in the US after winning Europe’s third-tier Conference League following a sub-par

maiden Champions League tri umph last month, are chasing their first world title. Manager Luis Enrique has revitalised the team, replacing departing stars Neymar, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe with a youthful, dynamic squad com mitted to his total football ethos. Midfield orchestrator Vitinha has been pivotal, while flying full backs Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi provide width and pace. Up front, Ballon d’Or con tender Ousmane Dembele has shone, delivering crucial goals and assists. PSG’s defensive solidity has also been remarkable, with their high turnover rate – averaging seven per hour of play –

after being questioned due to struggles with a squad that cost Chelsea over €1 billion (RM2 bil lion) in recent years. The mid-tournament addition of Joao Pedro has proven inspired, with the Brazilian for ward netting twice in their semifinal win over his childhood team Fluminense. He has combined well with Cole Palmer in attack, while Chelsea’s

domestic cam paign in which they barely managed a top four Premier League finish. Chelsea have rallied in the tournament and the final gives ma n a g e r

midfield trio of Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo has excelled at breaking up play and exploiting spaces. – Reuters

with the promise of revolutionising club football and as a glittering cur tain-raiser for the 2026 World Cup in North America. The final, scheduled for mid day at a sweltering MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, fol lows a tourna ment filled with surprises, includ ing shock exits for Manchester City and Inter Milan at the hands of underdogs Al Hilal and Fluminense.

E n z o Maresca a chance for redemp t ion

proving instru m e n t a l throughout the competition. L u i s Enrique, who has already experienced

PSG have been in scintil lating form, winning seven of their last eight matches without conceding a single goal. Luis Enrique’s side show cased their high-pressing, fast paced, vertical style to devastat ing effect in a 4-0 demolition of Real Madrid in the semifinals. Two early turnovers, forced by PSG’s relentless press, led to a commanding two-goal lead within nine minutes. The Parisians, fresh off their

Ousmane Dembele (left) and Joao Pedro.

Healy pulls off solo win

Wenger defends CWC

- Story on page 28

- Story on page 30

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca. – REUTERSPIC

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