Chelsea are set to take on French giants Paris Saint-Germain in the final of the Club World Cup and Tosin Adarabioyo has given a glimpse into the Blues’ mindset ahead of the game
Enzo Maresca has been trying to keep his players’ minds off the Club World Cup. And no wonder because Chelsea are facing red-hot favourites Paris Saint-Germain in the £97m winner-takes-all final in the MetLife Stadium.
PSG are already French champions, European champions and are now bidding to add the world crown to their trophy collection under Luis Enrique this season.
But Tosin Adarabioyo revealed that they have used the past month in the United States to do some serious bonding and the Chelsea defender says they are in a better position to cause an upset.
Chelsea have been playing table tennis and cards, they were allowed down the beach at their Miami training base and have been allowed down time in Philadelphia and New York.
The relaxed attitude has been designed to allow the players to recharge while still playing in their never-ending season and it has taken some pressure off their shoulders.
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Adarabioyo said: “Our minds have been set on getting to the final and the gaffer’s been great, giving us some down time wherever we’ve been.
“So we’ve been able to have the right time to forget about football a little bit and just focus on enjoying our times together and that’s what we’ve done.”
Adarabioyo is also known as Uncle Tosin because, even though he is only 27, he has taken some of the younger players under his wing. But the former Manchester City defender says they have grown together and he laughed off the idea Chelsea’s squad is made up of kids.
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He said: “I wouldn’t say a bunch of kids, but yeah, it’s going to be a month now, but we’re very happy with the position we’ve been in. Like I just said, just previously, it’s an amazing position to play against teams all over the world. That’s what football’s about, bringing different countries all together and we’re happy to do that and be in the final.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo picked up an ankle injury against Fluminense in the semi final but is desperate to be fit for Sunday’s final.
It will give him the chance to show his quality on the biggest stage as Caicedo has arguably become Chelsea’s most important player. He added: “I am working on that. I want to become one of the best midfielders in the world but I am too far right now. I want to be one of the best but I think I am too far. I am working hard every day and want to show it on the pitch.
“I want to talk on the pitch, showing my great football and the people can talk about me. I am looking forward to the game. People always talk when you are doing well. Even when they say bad things, I don’t care because I just want to help my team and I focus on that. It’s been good here. It’s good, fun and we have been having a good time and a lot of laughs.”
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The FIFA Club World Cup will see 32 of the world’s best club teams including Man City, Chelsea, Real Madrid, PSG and Bayern Munich play across 63 games from June 14-July 13.
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