A Whole New Ball Game For Chelsea

Maresca's men face different challenges in expanded format; eyes on Delap and Palmer

- 

LONDON - After securing their return to the Champions League on the final day of the season, Chelsea have an early chance to show that they belong back among the elite at the Club World Cup.

Enzo Maresca's side beat Nottingham Forest in their last Premier League match to clinch fourth place after an inconsistent campaign, ending a two-season absence from Europe's top competition.

The Blues, who reached Fifa's revamped and expanded Club World Cup by landing a second Champions League triumph in 2021, have been handed a favourable opening raft of fixtures in the United States.

They begin their campaign in Group D on June 16 against Los Angeles FC, who battled through a play-off round against Mexico's Club America to replace the disqualified Club Leon.

After that opening fixture in Atlanta, Chelsea head north to face Brazilian team Flamengo (June 20) and Tunisia's Esperance (June 24), both in Philadelphia.

"We face formations from distant countries, with which there is no relationship (with us) like the other Premier teams or in Europe," Maresca said.