The message from a Chelsea player to PSG on the eve of the Club World Cup

As the highly anticipated FIFA Club World Cup final between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain draws near, Chelsea right-back and captain Reece James has made a bold statement, exuding confidence in his team's ability to lift the trophy. Speaking ahead of the decisive match, James declared simply, "We are going to win," setting a defiant tone against what many perceive as overwhelming favorites in PSG.

James's confident assertion comes despite the widespread belief that Paris Saint-Germain, the reigning UEFA Champions League holders, are the stronger side. PSG's dominant form this season, marked by impressive victories and a deep squad, has led many pundits and fans to label them as clear favorites. However, for James, such external perceptions hold little weight. "Everyone has them down as strong favorites, but I've been in many finals before where we've been favorites and we didn't come out on top. So this doesn't mean too much to me. And I don't really care to be honest," he stated, emphasizing a focus on Chelsea's own capabilities and preparation.

Chelsea's journey to this Club World Cup final has seen them navigate a challenging path, showcasing resilience and tactical adaptability under their head coach. The Blues qualified for the tournament as the UEFA Champions League winners. Their campaign began in the group stage, where they were pitted against Flamengo, ES Tunis, and Los Angeles FC. After securing a 2-0 victory over LAFC in their opening fixture, they experienced a surprising 3-1 loss to Flamengo, which raised some questions about their form. However, they quickly regrouped, securing a crucial 3-0 win against Esperance Tunis to ensure their progression to the knockout rounds.

In the round of 16, Chelsea faced Benfica, whom they defeated convincingly. This set up a quarter-final clash against Palmeiras, another strong Brazilian side, which Chelsea managed to overcome. Their semi-final encounter saw them pitted against Fluminense. In a solid performance, Chelsea secured a 2-0 victory, with new signing João Pedro notably scoring a brace, propelling them into the final.

Throughout their tournament run, Chelsea has demonstrated moments of brilliance and collective strength. Despite facing diverse challenges and varying climates, the team has maintained its focus on reaching the ultimate stage. While the external narrative often highlights PSG's formidable attack and dominance, James's comments underscore a deep-seated belief within the Chelsea dressing room. He affirmed that "We're expecting a tough game. Don't get me wrong. They are an amazing team. But we also have an amazing team, and I think we will surprise a lot of people."

The Club World Cup final represents a significant opportunity for Chelsea to add another major trophy to their cabinet. Reece James's confident declaration serves as a rallying cry, signaling that Chelsea is not just participating but is fully committed to emerging victorious in this high-stakes encounter.