Fresh from sealing a return to the Champions League, Chelsea now have a chance to prove their pedigree on the world stage at this summer’s Club World Cup in the United States.

Enzo Maresca’s side clinched fourth place in the Premier League on the final day with a win over Nottingham Forest, ending a two-year European absence.

They enter the expanded Club World Cup by virtue of their 2021 Champions League triumph and will kick off in Group D against Los Angeles FC in Atlanta on Monday.

Further group games against Flamengo and Esperance follow in Philadelphia. LAFC feature ex-Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud, though the 38-year-old is no longer a regular.

Flamengo, guided by former Blues defender Filipe Luis, qualified as 2022 Copa Libertadores winners, while Esperance are the Tunisian champions but are seen as Group D’s weakest link.

Chelsea are aiming for another deep run, having lifted the trophy in its previous format in 2022. Potential knockout clashes with Bayern Munich or PSG could lie ahead.

The tournament also offers a stage for £30m new signing Liam Delap to impress. The 22-year-old striker, who scored 12 times for Ipswich last season, joins a side that struggled for goals with Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku both inconsistent.

Delap follows the same Manchester City youth path as Cole Palmer, whose standout end to the season included a starring role in Chelsea’s Conference League final win over Real Betis.

Palmer missed last year’s pre-season US tour, but Maresca says this summer gives him a platform to shine in North America.

“He’s up there with the very best… a player who can create something out of nothing,” said the coach.

Maresca’s first piece of silverware came in that win over Betis. Success this summer could further silence doubts around his possession-heavy approach and mark another step forward for a young Chelsea squad still growing into its identity.

With nearly £100 million on offer for the winners and co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital watching closely, Chelsea will be under pressure to deliver.