Speaking exclusively with BoyleSports , Geremi has given his thoughts on whether the Club World Cup could rival the Champions League for prestige.
The two-time Champions League winner has given his perspective on the ever-evolving Chelsea squad and whether Palmer, Delap and Caicedo could lead them to success. Geremi speaks about the transfer market and what players could be entering or departing Stamford Bridge this summer along with a bold claim that Mourinho may return to the club someday.
Can Club World Cup Rival The Champions League?
Can the Club World Cup reach Champions League levels? It will be very very difficult. We have seen huge games and events throughout the history of the Champions League; the Club World Cup might never reach that level but only time will tell.
The Club World Cup is FIFA’s baby, and they are going to try and nurture it. It's clear that big teams want to take part and play attractive football. If the fans get excited and the players compete, it could be huge.
One concern I have is about the fitness of the players, it’s been a long season and there is a risk that players can get hurt. But fingers crossed that isn’t the case.
Player Health Is At Risk!
Players will go into this tournament with eyes on the trophy, but they have been playing a lot of matches and that has to be a concern for clubs. On the one hand, the players need rest, on the other hand, players want to win trophies and play at the highest level.
I think the governing bodies need to sit down and think about player health because they are at risk, playing 50 matches a season is not easy for a player and not resting won’t be good for their health.
It’s a big issue and there needs to be a solution.
Prospect Of A Winner From England?
This is a fresh competition, and all the big teams will have ambitions of winning it, that includes Manchester City and Chelsea. I think it will depend on the condition of the players and their desire to fight for the trophy after a hard Premier League season.
If the players want it, both clubs have a chance of lifting the trophy.
Club World Cup Qualifying Controversy
I think we have to respect all the clubs that have qualified, even if Barcelona, Liverpool and Manchester United are missing out. All the clubs involved will have dreams of winning the trophy and we have to respect the criteria.
Chelsea Will Be Confident Of Success
Chelsea’s confidence will be high, and they will have every ambition of winning another trophy. For the players though, it will be a big challenge.
It’s not easy to play as many games as they did last season and come back so soon, but that confidence might be enough to take them to another trophy – it will be up to the manager to get that out of them.
Club World Cup Springboard
Chelsea are still one of the biggest clubs in the world and they will go to the Club World Cup to win it. They have a lot of confidence after the end of the season and if they were to win this summer, imagine their confidence going into the new season.
You do have to wonder about the condition of the players after a long season, it’s another long tournament, but that confidence will make a big difference, it might be a case of resting certain players in certain games.
But that winning feeling breeds confidence and this is a big opportunity for Chelsea.
“Phenomenal” Palmer
Cole Palmer will have every intention of winning the tournament with Chelsea – and that might carry him to be the player of the tournament. He won’t be worried about individual awards going into it, but the chances are if Chelsea do lift the trophy then he will be the most influential player.
He is a phenomenal player, and he will want to show that to the world, there will be a lot of eyes on this tournament, and it gives him a great platform to show what he can do.
Delap’s Chance To Shine
All players dream of playing for the biggest clubs so Liam Delap will be delighted, he will be desperate to improve as a player and this summer’s Club World Cup might be huge for him. He has also played less games than other Chelsea players last season which will be an advantage.
Delap has a chance to make a name for himself on the world stage and show that he should be the main man for Chelsea, Enzo Maresca will be watching him closely and this tournament could set up a great season for him.
Rodrygo To Chelsea?
Rodrygo is a top player in world football, and I think he would be a great addition to any club, it would be interesting to see him in the Premier League. I’d love to see him at Chelsea; I think he would make a big impact as they chase trophies. But at the moment it’s impossible to tell what the future holds.
Players can struggle to gel in the Premier League, but I don’t think he would because he is a really great player.
Chelsea MUST Sign Osimhen
Chelsea have signed Liam Delap, but Victor Osimhen would be a great striker for Enzo Maresca to have in his team next season. I don’t know if it’s possible for Chelsea, but I’d urge them to sign him, he has scored goals in France, Italy and now with Galatasaray.
I think he has been one of the best strikers in the world for two years and I’d love to see him in the Premier League.
Jackson To Leave?
Nicolas Jackson is a fighter, and he will be fighting for his place in the Chelsea team if he stays in the squad beyond the summer.
If Chelsea do decide to sell him then he won’t be short of clubs fighting for his signature, looking at a club like Newcastle, I think he would improve their options up front.
Jackson is still a striker who can do a great job in the Premier League, even if that isn’t with Chelsea.
Caicedo’s Redemption
There is always a rush to criticise players when they have a big transfer fee, and it was the same for Moises Caicedo. It was a big move, and he just needed time.
Footballers have bad periods and that can be for so many reasons, he is young and was always going to rebound from that. Chelsea gave him that opportunity and look what he has done since.
Caicedo Not A Mistake
Chelsea were confident that spending £100 million on Moises Caicedo was no mistake and they were right. I’m not going to question what Paul Scholes has said but Chelsea spent a huge amount of money for a reason, and they won’t be regretting the signing now.
He had a tough start, but he is back on track after help from the club, the manager and his team-mates. He is now showing his true level.
Sanchez Or Maignan?
Chelsea might be considering replacing Robert Sanchez with Mike Maignan, but I’d be careful, I don’t think it’s a good idea to keep changing goalkeepers because they need time to adjust.
I think Sanchez needs to be given another chance at Chelsea, anyone can make mistakes and by changing him now, you’d also put pressure on the goalkeeper you replace him with. Give him another chance.
Mourinho Can’t Retire!
Jose Mourinho cannot retire this summer. He loves football too much and I can’t imagine him being away from the football pitch. I spent some great years with Jose, and I know him as a person, he might want to take a rest but make no mistake he will be back with a new challenge.
He is still younger than a lot of managers out there and he has the character to win the biggest games in the world.
Mourinho’s Chelsea Return
With Jose Mourinho’s history with Chelsea, the fans would love to have him back for a third spell despite him spending time with Spurs. He has been through so much with the club and I think he’d love to come back too, he would give his heart to the club because it became his family.
It would be great to see Jose return to Chelsea and anything can happen in football, he made those fans proud and one day he might do that again.
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