Whatever happens against Benfica, Chelsea bosses can be pleased with the team’s Club World Cup campaign.
By winning games against Los Angeles FC and Esperance Sportive de Tunis and making it to the knockout round of the competition, Chelsea have already banked a lot of money.
Of course, many will be expecting Enzo Maresca‘s men to reach the quarter-finals, especially if Benfica do not put out their strongest team.
In Bruno Lage’s pre-match press conference, the Portuguese hinted that he may need to rest players to manage their workload.
FIFA Club World Cup Trophy is displayed at South Beach
Photo by Eva Marie Uzcategui – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Chelsea have earned £29.5m from Club World Cup
After beating ES Tunis during the week, Chelsea pocketed £1.5m. They also earned an extra £5.8m as a result of qualifying for the last 16.
According to The Athletic, when you include their participation fee, Chelsea have collected $40.5m (£29.5m) in total.
It is big money and that figure will only increase if Maresca’s men manage to get the job done against Benfica.
Maresca will be expected to put out a strong team after making several changes in the ES Tunis victory.
MORE CHELSEA STORIES
Pedro Neto is likely to return to the starting XI, with the winger impressing in Chelsea’s first two games.
Lage spoke about Neto in his pre-match press conference, claiming that his compatriot is one of the best wide men in football.
Mike Maignan looks on during Spain v France 5-4 - UEFA Nations League 2025 Semi-final
Photo by EyesWideOpen/Getty Images
AC Milan only wanted £25m for Mike Maignan
Chelsea spent the end of the summer’s first transfer window trying to sign Mike Maignan.
Milan wanted just £25m for Maignan, meaning that the Blues have earned enough money from the Club World Cup to purchase the goalkeeper with change to spare.
Of course, it has never been a matter of Chelsea not being able to afford Maignan. Chelsea are one of the richest clubs in the world.
Rather, with the Frenchman about to turn 30 and into the final year of his contract, Chelsea simply felt that he was not worth a £25m fee.