UEFA Conference League champions Chelsea opened their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC in Group D.
At the end of a gruelling campaign in which the Blues played 57 games across all competitions, Enzo Maresca's men were far from their best at Atlanta United's Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Despite a laboured performance, strikes either side of half-time from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernández saw Chelsea kick-start this summer's tournament in satisfactory fashion.
Here are four things we learned from Monday night's meeting:
-
Tired legs, tired performance
Maresca's side generally looked tired in possession and devoid of ideas throughout the 90 minutes, but who can blame them really?
Their season came to an end less three weeks ago with victory over Real Betis in the Conference League final, but instead of a much-needed break they jetted off to the United States to contest yet another tournament.
Judging by the striking number of empty seats in Atlanta, the Chelsea fanbase aren't entirely enthusiastic about this competition, either.
Always challenging for silverware in their domestic and continental competitions, LAFC are no pushovers, but Chelsea will be disappointed they only managed the two goals on Monday.
The West Londoners still have two group games left to pick up the pace for the knockout rounds, but by the time this summer's competition ends, their pre-season in anticipation of the new Premier League campaign really won't be that far away.
-
Chelsea could still do with a Giroud-like figure
French striker and Premier League cult hero Olivier Giroud featured against his former side on Monday, replacing Jeremy Ebobisse at half-time.
The 38-year-old barely had a kick, but his appearance nonetheless served as a reminder of what Chelsea have missed since his departure in 2021.
Current Blues striker Nicolas Jackson often linked up well with his fellow attackers during the build-up, and recorded a delightful assist with a threaded through-ball to Neto for the opener.
However, the Senegalese forward was nowhere to be seen in the penalty area, even as Chelsea fed a barrage of crosses into the box. After an hour, Jackson was withdrawn for new signing Liam Delap.
When Jackson does find himself in front of goal, he often demonstrates a severe lack of composure. In the one chance that did come his way, he met Neto's cross but completely misdirected his header from 6 yards out.
Despite his often-limited style of play, Giroud was so effective in his target-man role during his time in England. His 6 goals were absolutely crucial as Chelsea lifted the UEFA Champions League title in 2020/21, and they are still yet to find a replacement.
-
Delap could be that man
As soon as Maresca turned to his new man from the bench, Chelsea suddenly looked a more dangerous unit in attack.
Delap's clever movement and powerful running really stretched the LAFC defence, but he was also a noticeable presence in the penalty area.
An incisive run in behind after 79 minutes awarded him acres of space to deliver an inch-perfect cross, which was tapped home by the substitute Fernández to seal the game.
The young Englishman only arrived in West London from Ipswich Town at the beginning of the month, after the Blues activated a £30 million release clause in his Ipswich contract.
Bagging 12 goals in 37 appearances in a breakthrough top-flight campaign last time out, Delap single-handedly kept Ipswich's survival hopes somewhat alive for much of the season.
With the sort of hunger displayed on Monday, Delap's first Chelsea goal is right around the corner.
-
LAFC's hopes of progression still intact
The Los Angeles outfit proved that they are no pushovers despite defeat, and their hopes of progression out of Group D still remains in their hands.
Steve Cherundolo's side created a number of promising chances against their English opposition, mostly through the pace and trickery of winger Denis Bouanga.
If not for a smart low stop from Blues 'keeper Robert Sánchez midway through the second half, the Gabon international would've put LAFC back on level terms.
Bouanga's 8 league goals halfway through their season sees his team comfortably within Major League Soccer's Western Conference play-off positions, and has consistently showed he is one of the hottest talents in North America since arriving in 2022.
With two group fixtures against Flamengo and Tunisian outfit ES Tunis to go, LAFC will be confident of earning two victories that would see them progress into the knockouts.
