Chelsea step onto the global stage tonight, facing Los Angeles FC at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Kick-off is at 8pm, and Enzo Maresca’s side, fresh from securing Champions League football, will want to strike first in their FIFA Club World Cup campaign.
With no flurry of summer signings yet, Maresca is expected to rely on his strongest available lineup. Between the posts, Robert Sanchez should keep his place, as a deal for Mike Maignan came too late for the tournament’s opener.
At the back, Benoit Badiashile and Trevoh Chalobah are likely to form the central pairing, with Malo Gusto set for the right flank in place of the recovering Reece James. On the left, Marc Cucurella is tipped to start, bringing energy and width.
In midfield, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo return from international duty ready to anchor the team. They will look to control possession and set the tempo, freeing Cole Palmer to operate in the number 10 role.
Palmer, whose creativity has been central to Chelsea’s resurgence, will be tasked with threading passes between LAFC’s lines.
Pedro Neto could take up the left-wing role, with Noni Madueke stretching play from the right. Up front, Nicolas Jackson remains the focal point of attack, his movement and pace expected to trouble the MLS side’s defence.
New signing Liam Delap may have to wait for his debut from the bench.
For Chelsea, this is about momentum as much as silverware.
Win here, and the path to a global title feels that much closer.