FIFA Club World Cup: Chelsea's Young Squad Faces Fluminense Challenge

Last Updated:July 07, 2025, 11:42 IST

Chelsea's young squad aims for the Club World Cup final against Fluminense, led by ex-Chelsea defender Thiago Silva, 40, who has been pivotal for Fluminense.

Chelsea's young sqaud will be put to the test by the Brazilians. (AP Photo)

Chelsea’s youthful squad aims to secure a spot in the Club World Cup final as they face Fluminense in the semifinals on Tuesday. The Brazilian team is led by former Chelsea defender Thiago Silva, who continues to impress at the age of 40.

Silva was already an established veteran when he joined Chelsea in 2020, subsequently enjoying an outstanding four-year tenure at Stamford Bridge. Known as one of the best centre-backs of his era, Silva arrived after eight years at Paris Saint-Germain and clinched the UEFA Champions League in his debut season with Chelsea.

During his time in London, Silva played 155 matches and contributed significantly to the development of the young talents now playing regularly under Enzo Maresca. “He’s a legend of football, a top player," said Marc Cucurella, Silva’s teammate for two years, mentioning their exchanged messages about the upcoming reunion. “We have the opportunity to play against him again and hopefully we can do good things, win this game and play in the final."

Silva initially gained prominence at Fluminense, playing in the team that reached the 2008 Copa Libertadores final, where they were defeated by LDU Quito of Ecuador. He returned to Fluminense after leaving Chelsea, donning the green, red, and white once more, and helped them win the Copa Libertadores in 2023.

Reunited with coach Renato Gaucho, who led the team in 2008 and is now in his sixth tenure, Silva has been instrumental in Fluminense’s impressive run in the Club World Cup. The Brazilian side held Borussia Dortmund in the group stage, eliminated Inter Milan in the last 16, and triumphed over Saudi powerhouse Al Hilal in the quarter-finals.

“If you had asked me beforehand if we would have got this far I would have said we were a long way away from doing so," Silva told broadcaster DAZN after the victory over Al-Hilal. “We know the financial size of these teams, the difference is enormous, absurd. But often our collective, the family atmosphere that we have, gives us strength that you maybe don’t think you have."

Chelsea Youth vs. Vets

Fluminense’s squad also includes veteran players like 44-year-old goalkeeper Fabio, 35-year-old wing-back Samuel Xavier, and 37-year-old Argentine forward German Cano. However, the standout player has been 27-year-old Colombian winger Jhon Arias, one of the tournament’s top performers.

“I have watched some games that they have played and you can see that they are very well organised. They have some very good players. The manager is doing a fantastic job," said Maresca, preparing to face Brazilian opposition for the third time in the tournament. Chelsea lost to Flamengo in the group stage but defeated Palmeiras in the quarter-finals in Philadelphia.

“The energy from Brazilian teams in this competition has been high — probably the reason why is because they are at the start of their season while we are finished the season," Maresca added.

Chelsea will now experience the MetLife Stadium, a massive 82,500-capacity venue in East Rutherford, New Jersey, just outside New York City. Many of Maresca’s players might have been uncertain about FIFA’s new tournament, which came at the end of a campaign where they finished fourth in the Premier League and won the UEFA Conference League. Yet, they now stand just one game away from the final, where they could face either Real Madrid or PSG.

With Silva no longer with the team, Maresca has been working with a young squad at Chelsea, with the average age of his starting line-up against Palmeiras last Friday being just 24.

The influx of young talent continues with 23-year-old Brazilian forward Joao Pedro, formerly of Fluminense, making his debut in the quarter-finals. Brazilian prodigy Estevao Willian, 18, will join from Palmeiras ahead of next season, and 20-year-old winger Jamie Gittens has just signed from Borussia Dortmund. Moises Caicedo, the 23-year-old midfield lynchpin, is set to return to the midfield against Fluminense after his suspension.

With AFP Inputs

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