As anticipation builds for the FIFA Club World Cup final between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, former Super Eagles captain and Chelsea legend, John Mikel Obi, has boldly predicted that the Blues will triumph over the French giants.
Mikel, who played a key role in Chelsea’s midfield during their golden era, insists that history — especially from Chelsea’s 2013 FIFA Club World Cup heartbreak — will serve as a motivating force for the current squad.🔵 MIKEL: “CHELSEA KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO FALL SHORT — THEY WON’T LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN”Speaking during a media chat ahead of the final, Mikel stated:
Chelsea will beat PSG. They’ve been here before and know the pain of losing this title. In 2013, we didn’t take the tournament seriously enough, and we paid the price. But this team is different — more focused, more balanced.
I see them lifting the trophy.”Mikel was referring to the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup, where Chelsea — under the management of Rafael Benítez — were stunned by Brazilian side Corinthians in the final, losing 1-0 despite being favorites. That loss left a dent on Chelsea’s legacy at the time, as they failed to convert their UEFA Champions League title into a global crown.
FLASHBACK: CHELSEA’S 2013 NIGHT MARE Date: December 16, 2013Opponent: Corinthians (Brazil)Venue: International Stadium Yokohama, Japan Result: Chelsea 0 – 1 Corinthians Key Moment: Paolo Guerrero scored the match-winner in the 69th minute Chelsea’s Struggle: Despite fielding stars like Fernando Torres, Mata, and Oscar, Chelsea struggled against the compact and passionate South American side.Many pundits argued that Chelsea underestimated the challenge, while South American teams typically treat the Club World Cup as the ultimate prize — sometimes even more than the Champions League.
Mikel Obi was on the field that day and recalls the emotional toll that loss took on the team.🔥 WHY MIKEL’S CONFIDENCE IN CHELSEA MAKES SENSE IN 20251. Stronger Squad Depth: Chelsea’s 2025 team boasts a younger, faster, and more tactically versatile squad compared to 2013.2. Winning Mentality: Fresh off a Champions League victory, the squad is brimming with confidence and hunger to complete the global treble.3. PSG’s Fragility:
While PSG are star-studded, they’ve shown lapses in crucial games — something Chelsea could exploit with their counter-attacking prowess.4. Lessons from the Past: Mikel’s warning about complacency is timely. The 2013 loss has now become a reference point for what not to do in a final of this magnitude.
ANALYSIS: SHOULD WE AGREE WITH MIKEL?From a tactical and psychological perspective, yes — Mikel’s opinion is not just based on sentiment, but on hard-earned experience. Chelsea, having suffered once on the big stage, have the edge in resilience and redemption.
While PSG are formidable, Chelsea’s hunger to rewrite history might just carry them through.As the final whistle approaches, the ghosts of 2013 loom large — and for Chelsea, this is more than just a match. It’s a mission.—Source:
FrontNaija News Analysis Written by: Vincent T. Nefegha*Share, Comment & Stay Tuned for Match Updates! ⚽🔥
