Chelsea Club World Cup Additions takes a deep dive into young talents like Liam Delap, Andre Santos, Dario Essugo, Mamadou Sarr, and Estevao Willian who could define Chelsea’s future in 2025.
A New Generation, A Global Stage
As Chelsea prepare for the 2025 Club World Cup, excitement is building not only for the established stars but for the exciting crop of young talent now entering the squad. The Chelsea Club World Cup Additions this year reflect the club’s aggressive long-term recruitment strategy starting to deliver real promise. These young players could play key roles as Chelsea target silverware on the global stage.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these potential breakout stars.
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Liam Delap: A Premier League-Built Striker Ready to Shine
Season 2024–25 stats (Ipswich Town):
• 37 Premier League apps, 12 goals, 2 assists
• Championship loan prior: 8 goals in 31 games for Hull City
Profile & Role:
• 6’1″ center-forward with strong hold-up play and aerial presence
• Developed through Man City’s system, loan spells honed his physical strike profile
• Finished season as Ipswich’s top scorer with a £30m release clause triggered post-relegation
Why He Matters:
Chelsea’s acquisition of Delap brings a Premier League-hardened striker into the squad—someone who can compete in high-pressure games. Expect him in rotation during the Club World Cup, offering a potent mix of youth and hunger.
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Andre Santos: The Brazilian Midfield Dynamo
Season 2024–25 stats (Strasbourg):
• 32 Ligue 1 appearances, 10 goals, 3 assists
• 0.41 goal contributions per 90; pass completion ~88.6%; key passes 0.84/90
Profile & Role:
• Agile two-way midfielder capable of ball retention and defensive coverage
• Strong creativity numbers and transition efficiency make him a tactical fit
Why He Matters:
André Santos brings midfield energy and durability. In tournament play where control of tempo is vital, he provides bench depth and rotation options.
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Dario Essugo: The Portuguese Midfield Enforcer
Season 2024–25 stats (Sporting):
• 34 apps, 1 goal; 87% pass accuracy; averaged 3.1 tackles/game
Profile & Role:
• Young defensive midfielder with strong defensive instincts and ball distribution
• Also capable of stepping into deeper roles quietly under pressure
Why He Matters:
As Chelsea chase trophies, Essugo offers fresh legs for break-up duties and seamless midfield cover. His composure could be an asset in knockout gamers
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Mamadou Sarr: The Future of Chelsea’s Defensive Line
Season 2024–25 stats (Lyon):
• 26 Ligue 1 starts; won ~70% of aerial duels; high interception and tackle numbers
Profile & Role:
• 6’3″ defender with ball-playing comfort—ideal for Maresca’s build-from-back model
• Composed under pressure and wins possession consistently
Why He Matters:
Sarr’s inclusion strengthens defensive depth and introduces a potential future starter—experience in high-level competition will be crucial for his development.
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Estevao Willian: The Brazilian Prodigy on Chelsea’s Horizon
Season 2024–25 stats (Palmeiras):
• 33 apps, ~0.39 goals/90, ~0.18 assists/90
• 26 goals, 15 assists in last Brasileirão
Profile & Role:
• Speedy, technical winger nicknamed ‘Messinho’ for dribbling flair
• Strong left-footed shot; two-time league champ and senior Brazil international
Why He Matters:
While he won’t suit up in this tournament, Estevão is emblematic of Chelsea’s commitment to global youth. Having already put in a man of the match performance in his first outing against Porto, his exploits will boost squad morale and brand excitement during the Club World Cup.
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The Bigger Picture: Why These Additions Matter
Chelsea’s Club World Cup Additions reflect more than just transfer activity — they represent the shift toward a sustainable squad-building model. Instead of relying solely on expensive marquee names, Chelsea are identifying elite youth talent across the globe, developing them within their system, and gradually introducing them to elite-level competition.
The Club World Cup offers the perfect platform for many of these players to gain invaluable experience against clubs from South America, Asia, and Europe — with different playing styles and pressure levels they’ll rarely experience elsewhere. These matches will also help Maresca evaluate how well these young stars adapt to international-level football.
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Final Word: The Club World Cup Could Mark the Start of Chelsea’s Youth-Led Era
As Chelsea enter the expanded 2025 Club World Cup, the Chelsea Club World Cup Additions serve as a glimpse into the club’s ambitious long-term vision. Liam Delap’s strength, Andre Santos’ midfield control, Dario Essugo’s defensive grit, Mamadou Sarr’s calm authority, and Estevao Willian’s sheer flair form a core that could define Chelsea’s future success.
Whether Chelsea go all the way in the tournament or not, one thing is clear: these youth additions are being positioned not just for this summer — but to form the heart of Chelsea’s squad for years to come.