Chelsea aim to put a turbulent past couple of months behind them by winning the Club World Cup final against Palmeiras on Saturday, the start of a season-defining period for the European champions.
The Blues have fallen off the pace in the Premier League after winning just three of 10 games but are still competing for multiple honours at home and on the continent.
Chelsea are through to the League Cup final against Liverpool on February 27, four days after the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against French club Lille and just before the fifth round of the FA Cup.
A star-studded Chelsea side was beaten 1-0 by Corinthians in 2012 final in Japan, and midfielder Mateo Kovacic is eager for the current group to make amends.
“We are desperate to win this trophy. We could be the first team in Chelsea history to bring this trophy to London so we are happy that we are in such a big final,” said Kovacic.
“We will do everything to win it on Saturday.”
Standing in the way of their second title this season, after a penalty shootout win over Villarreal in the UEFA Super Cup, is a Palmeiras team aching to end the jibes from rival supporters about their failure to win the Club World Cup.
The Brazilians will be backed this weekend by an expected 15,000 fans in Abu Dhabi, prompting Chelsea assistant Zsolt Low to say it would be like playing another away game — after Saudi outfit Al Hilal enjoyed the majority of the support Wednesday.
The Hungarian has been deputising for Thomas Tuchel this week, with the German coach stuck at home after testing positive for Covid-19.
“Everybody hopes that Thomas can travel as soon as possible,” said Low.
“He’s following the government rules and is in self-isolation right now. Once he has a negative test, it opens the possibility for him to travel.”
