Football

FIFA Club World Cup: Enzo Maresca Sees 'Fantastic Motivation' For Chelsea In Summer Challenge

Chelsea were placed in Group D alongside Flamengo, Club Leon and Esperance Sportive de Tunis, with their first game taking place on June 16 in Atlanta

enzo maresca
Chelsea manager, Enzo Maresca
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Enzo Maresca believes the newly revamped Club World Cup is "great motivation" for his Chelsea players as his side look to win the competition in the summer. (More Football News)

The competition has been expanded to 32 teams, including 12 from Europe, and will take place across the United States between June and July.

The Blues secured their place in the competition after being crowned European champions in 2021 with a 1-0 Champions League final win against Manchester City in Porto.

Chelsea were placed in Group D alongside Flamengo, Club Leon and Esperance Sportive de Tunis, with their first game taking place on June 16 in Atlanta. 

And with Chelsea out of the running for major silverware this season under Maresca, the Italian believes the tournament is the perfect opportunity to lift his first title for the club. 

"That's what you need to see it as, as a source of motivation," Maresca said.

"As I've told you before, when you're at Chelsea, your goal is to win as much as you can. And when we're there, that will be one of our goals: to try to win it.

"I'm happy because - as you've just said - it's a tournament that brings together the top 32 teams [in the world]. So, it is pretty exciting to take part in such a huge competition.

"And you also have the opportunity to face other top coaches and some world-class teams."

Chelsea lifted the title in 2022 after beating바카라 웹사이트Palmeiras 2-1 in extra-time in the final, with Kai Havertz scoring the winning penalty three minutes from time.바카라 웹사이트

The competition is viewed seriously by Chelsea's hierarchy, according to sources close to the club, for two main reasons.바카라 웹사이트

Earlier this month, it was reported that FIFA were set to give $1billion바카라 웹사이트in prize money to clubs participating in the competition, while it is바카라 웹사이트also an opportunity for Chelsea바카라 웹사이트to appeal to바카라 웹사이트a global audience.

Maresca was also able to detail Cole Palmer's involvement in the tournament, with the바카라 웹사이트22-year-old missing Chelsea's pre-season tour of America last year due to his participation for England at the European Championships.바카라 웹사이트

However, the Three Lions international is expected to be involved this time around with more at stake.바카라 웹사이트

"Cole Palmer is up there with the very best, top players who can produce something at any moment, create something out of nothing," Maresca added.

"He wasn't with me on the USA tour last summer, so it will also be a chance for him to experience the environment there and to introduce himself to [North] America."

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