THE LAST MAN STANDING! Only ONE Chelsea Star Remains from 2021 Champions League-Winning XI at the Club World Cup!

Chelsea is currently competing in the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States, a tournament they earned the right to attend by lifting the Champions League in 2021. That feat, in the midst of the pandemic era, solidified a team full of heroes, with names that resonated across the continent: Mendy, James, Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Rüdiger, Chilwell, Kanté, Jorginho, Havertz, Mount, and Werner. They were the architects of the second European Cup for the Stamford Bridge club.

However, two years after that glorious triumph, the starting lineup that conquered Europe has undergone an astonishing metamorphosis. Of that legendary initial eleven, only one brave defender remains on the roster and is on U.S. soil with the team for this Club World Cup. The rest, for the most part, have flown off in search of new destinations or have been part of Chelsea's incessant renewal. How has the European champion team changed? Who is the sole survivor of that magical night? Join us as we unravel the surprising evolution of one of English football's most dynamic clubs.

The 2021 Glory Eleven: An Unforgettable Lineup

To understand the magnitude of the change, let's remember the eleven warriors who lifted the "Big-Eared Cup" in 2021:

• Goalkeeper: Édouard Mendy
• Defenders: Reece James, César Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Antonio Rüdiger, Ben Chilwell
• Midfielders: N'Golo Kanté, Jorginho, Mason Mount
• Forwards: Kai Havertz, Timo Werner

This team, managed by Thomas Tuchel, combined defensive solidity, a tireless midfield, and flashes of brilliance in attack. Their victory was a triumph of planning and collective spirit.

The Great Purge: Heroes with New Horizons

The dynamics of modern football are relentless, and Chelsea is no stranger to them. Most of those 2021 heroes no longer wear the blue jersey.

• Édouard Mendy (Goalkeeper): The Senegalese goalkeeper, a key player in that Champions League due to his miraculous saves, embarked on a new challenge. His departure marked the beginning of a new era between the posts for Chelsea.
• César Azpilicueta (Defender): The captain, the ever-reliable "Azpi," a true club emblem and a leader on and off the field. His departure was emotional for the fans. His experience and versatility now shine elsewhere, leaving a significant leadership void.
• Thiago Silva (Defender): The Brazilian "Monster," who arrived to provide hierarchy and experience, also moved on. His leadership and game reading were fundamental in 2021, but age and squad renewal led him to other pastures. (Note: This assumes that by 2025 he is no longer at Chelsea, which is likely.)
• Antonio Rüdiger (Defender): The fierce German center-back, a force of nature in defense, left Chelsea in search of new challenges and a starring role at another European giant. His intensity and character are difficult to replace.
• N'Golo Kanté (Midfielder): The tireless engine of the midfield, the player who covered every blade of grass, also bid farewell. His departure was a hard blow, as his energy and ball-winning ability were unique.
• Jorginho (Midfielder): The team's metronome, the midfield "professor" who orchestrated play with his vision and passing precision. His departure represented the end of an era of control in the center of the park.
• Mason Mount (Midfielder): An academy product, a fan favorite for his effort and goals. His departure, painful for many, was part of the restructuring and the search for new talents.
• Kai Havertz (Forward): The hero of the 2021 final, the scorer of the goal that secured the Champions League. Havertz, with his skill and vision, also sought new horizons at another Premier League club.
• Timo Werner (Forward): The speedy German forward, who contributed runs and assists though not always goals, returned to the Bundesliga in search of more minutes and prominence.

The Last Hero Standing: Reece James at the Club World Cup

Of all the iconic names from that night, only one remains steadfast in Chelsea's squad and is in the United States competing in the Club World Cup:

• Reece James (Defender): The talented English right-back is the only player from the starting eleven that won the Champions League in 2021 who is present in the United States playing in this tournament with Chelsea. His continuity underscores his importance as a fundamental pillar in defense and his role as one of the club's future legends. James has proven to be a modern defender, with great offensive capability and growing defensive solidity, resisting the renewals and the comings and goings of his teammates.

The Special Case: Ben Chilwell (On Loan)

Although not physically with the team in the United States, it's important to mention Ben Chilwell:

• Ben Chilwell (Defender): The left-back, another starter in 2021, is still part of Chelsea's roster. However, during the current season (2024-2025), he has been on loan at Crystal Palace. This situation is another reflection of the deep restructuring and squad management that Chelsea has carried out in recent years. His case shows that, although still linked to the club, his immediate present is away from the first team.

Chelsea's Constant Evolution: Where Are They Heading?

The great metamorphosis of the European champion Chelsea is a testament to the volatile nature of elite football, where permanence is an exception.

• Transfer Policy and Renewal: Chelsea's transfer policy has been characterized by constant renewal, investing in young talents with great potential. This implies the departure of established players to make room for new additions.
• The Challenge of Rebuilding: For Chelsea, participating in the Club World Cup is an opportunity to show that, despite the drastic renewal, the team remains competitive at the highest level. It's a new chapter in their history, with a new generation of players looking to make their own mark.
• The Legacy of 2021: Although the faces may have changed, the winning spirit of that 2021 Champions League-winning Chelsea remains an inspiration for the current squad. Reece James, as the sole survivor of that eleven, carries the torch of that glory.

The story of the 2021 Champions League-winning Chelsea and its almost complete transformation for the 2025 Club World Cup is a fascinating tale of evolution in football. Only Reece James remains as the last guardian of a historic lineup, while the club looks to the future, building a new chapter with ambition and renewed talent.