Chelsea have frequently relied on the brilliance of Cole Palmer in the two seasons since he joined the club, and the same will no doubt be the case at the Club World Cup.
The second half of the 2024/25 Premier League season saw Palmer go off the boil though, and a number of other player such as Marc Cucurella and Pedro Neto stepped up with big goals when needed in their push for Champions League football.
A lot is being asked of the Chelsea players to compete at this Club World Cup. The first team squad are off the back of an exhaustive campaign that saw them crowned Conference League winners.
The fitness of the players is going to be tested, especially in the conditions that meet them from playing in the United States.
Cole Palmer in action during Chelsea FC Training Session - FIFA Club World Cup 2025
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Cole Palmer the fittest player at Chelsea ahead of Club World Cup
While Palmer has the chance to announce himself to North America for the first time, his Chelsea teammates will be hoping his high standards are enough to carry them through the games.
According to the Mail Online, Palmer is winning the fitness tests being put on by the club in preparation for their opening game against LAFC.
This is despite the likes of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez proving their fitness with incredible efforts throughout the season.
While everyone is aware of the quality the England international provides in attack, his workrate perhaps goes under the radar at times.
Liam Delap in action during Chelsea FC Training Session - FIFA Club World Cup 2025
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
MORE CHELSEA STORIES
Palmer set for brand new partnership at Chelsea
A lot of eyes on the Chelsea game will be focused on whether new striker Liam Delap makes his debut for the club following his £30m move earlier this summer.
The Englishman will no doubt be relying on the relationships he has formed with a number of Blues players he has played with before during their times together at Manchester City.
Palmer and Delap boast a brilliant record together from their time in the academy there, and will be looking to revamp that partnership when they are playing together in a Chelsea shirt.
Given the extraordinary amount of chances created by Palmer that went to waste last season, there will be an appetite to address that with the new number nine at Stamford Bridge.