Reece James Declares Chelsea Unbothered by PSG’s Favourites Status Ahead of Club World Cup Final

Chelsea captain Reece James has emphasized that his team does not concern themselves with Paris Saint-Germain’s designation as the tournament’s favorites. He asserted that Chelsea are prepared to compete fiercely and are confident in their ability to challenge their opponents directly.

Although PSG demonstrated exceptional ball control at the Club World Cup, holding possession for 69% against Real Madrid in the semi-finals, Chelsea plan to counter this dominance. The match in New Jersey, scheduled for a 3 pm kickoff under hot and humid conditions, presents additional challenges that Chelsea’s squad is ready to face.

Manager Enzo Maresca publicly responded to questions regarding the need for his team to “suffer” during possession, indicating a strong stance against conceding control to PSG.

James underlines that this is a high-stakes, single-match final. Despite PSG’s recent form and their status as favorites, he remains unfazed, sharing his experience of playing in finals where his team was expected to win but did not.

He stated, “This is a top-level game, and they are among the hottest teams right now. Being labeled as favorites or not doesn’t matter much to us. We believe in our qualities and have come a long way. We’re preparing to win and will compete fiercely, regardless of stats or perceptions.”

Additionally, James clarified that he is fully fit, despite having withdrawn from the semi-final against Fluminense as a precaution. “I wasn’t injured; it was just a warning,” he explained. “I felt unwell during warm-up, and while I could have played, I chose to sit out to avoid risking further issues. Thankfully, we won that game.”