Gary Cahill has backed Chelsea to win the Club World Cup this summer.
Enzo Maresca's side have now travelled out to the United States for FIFA's revamped tournament, with their first game on Monday against MLS side Los Angeles FC. The Blues then face Brazilian outfit Flamengo on Friday before entertaining Tunisian team ES Tunis five days later in their final group fixture.
Should Chelsea progress, they would face a last-16 fixture on Saturday, June 28 or Sunday, June 29. The quarter-final, semi-final and final would follow, if Cahill's prediction is correct.
The former Blues centre-back believes that Chelsea can beat competition from the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Manchester City to lift the Club World Cup.
When asked if Chelsea can win the tournament, Cahill said: "Yes, when you look at the teams in the competition, I don't see why not. I've been involved myself and football is very much based on momentum, belief and confidence.
"I think there's been times this season for Chelsea where they've had a wobble, confidence has been low.
"But you look now to where they are, confidence is very much at a high, everyone is playing well and they've had a successful end to the campaign.
"So, for them reasons, I certainly can see them getting to the latter stages of the competition and it will be great to see them win it and top off the end of the season on a high."
Ex-Chelsea defender Gary Cahill.
Ex-Chelsea defender Gary Cahill. (Image: Budweiser)
If Chelsea win the Club World Cup, the Blues would bank a whopping £97million. Even for just appearing at the tournament, Maresca's side are set to receive between £8.85m and £28.15m.
It's financial clout that Chelsea are going to benefit from, both from having extra money available to strengthen their squad in the transfer window and, also, developing the club's infrastructure.
But while the financial gain is still vital for the Blues, Cahill reiterated the importance of the tournament for the players and proving themselves against the best in the world.
He said: "It's a big competition, huge teams are in this competition. For the fans it'll be exciting.
"Again, we talk about progression and Chelsea, at this moment in time, I'm sure if you put yourself in that dressing room you're on a high. They finished the end of the season very, very well and so they'll be going into the FIFA Club World Cup full of confidence.
"Ultimately, you'll be going against some of the best teams in the world. So, it's exciting and they'll be looking to get to the latter stages. This is the kind of pressure that Chelsea have, they want to be in the biggest competitions, which is the Club World Cup."
Cahill added: "If you look from the players point-of-view, they'll be wanting to compete against the best players in the world and coming up against big competitors.
"From the club's point-of-view, financially it makes sense to do well in this competition. Owing to the size of it, the financial implications if you get to the latter stages are positive for the football clubs.
"Both of these things put together are why these huge clubs around the world want to be in this competition, and try and win it."
Chelsea have now travelled out to the United States for the Club World Cup.
Chelsea have now travelled out to the United States for the Club World Cup. (Image: Getty Images)
Among the players that are set to feature for Chelsea in the United States is new signing, Liam Delap, who made his £30m move from Ipswich Town earlier this month. The 22-year-old scored 12 times and added two assists in 37 matches for Ipswich in his breakthrough Premier League campaign.
Delivering his verdict on Delap's move to Stamford Bridge, Cahill is excited about his potential and what he could bring to Maresca's squad. "I have watched him a few times," he continued.
"He's clever in his runs and he's a very powerful runner, he runs in behind as well as comes to feet. I've seen him a couple of times this season to be honest and been very impressed.
"He's got loads left to learn still, but to move to a club and an atmosphere like Chelsea can only improve you as a player if you've got any ambition about you which I am sure he has. In terms of the next progression in his career, I am sure he is so excited to get started."
Chelsea ended the 2024/25 domestic and European campaign in fine form, winning eight of their remaining nine fixtures. It was a run that helped the Blues finish in the Champions League places and win the Conference League, beating Real Betis 4-1 in the final in Wroclaw, Poland.
Budweiser's 'Bring Home The Bud' campaign.
Budweiser's 'Bring Home The Bud' campaign. (Image: Budweiser)
Cahill was speaking following the launch of Budweiser's Bring Home the Bud campaign for the FIFA Club World Cup. Budweiser's celebrated 'Bring Home The Bud' gives fans of those winning countries a celebration fitting of a world champion: free beer for those of a legal drinking age.
The 'Bring Home The Bud' football tradition continues this tournament, as the signature Budweiser-branded red beer crates are already making appearances in cities right across Brazil, UK, and China to build excitement for the ultimate payoff for the winning club* and its home supporters.
"I'm proud to be working with Budweiser to help launch this campaign," Cahill admitted. "Bring Home the Bud is a brilliant way to celebrate the passion of fans and the pride of club football.
"It gives fans of the winning club a celebration fitting of a world champion, free beer for those of legal drinking age. As someone who's experienced the highs and lows of the game, I know how much these moments matter.
"From the streets of Manchester to London's Flat Iron Square, the journey of the crate is about more than beer - it’s about uniting fans through football and giving them a real taste of what victory feels like."