Chelsea began their Club World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC, but not everyone in the squad was completely satisfied with how the match played out.
Despite the comfortable scoreline in front of a quiet crowd of just 22,000 in a much larger venue, defender Levi Colwill acknowledged that while the result was good, the performance left room for improvement.
Speaking to Chelsea’s official website, Colwill said:
“Getting the win was the main thing. We controlled the game in parts—when to attack and when to keep the ball—but it wasn’t a perfect display. In tournaments, it’s all about winning.”
Chelsea’s goals came in each half. Pedro Neto opened the scoring thanks to a clever assist from Nicolas Jackson, and Enzo Fernandez doubled the lead after being set up by new signing Liam Delap.
However, the Blues struggled with consistency, especially in the second half, allowing LAFC several opportunities. Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was called into action multiple times to preserve the clean sheet.
Colwill emphasized the importance of defensive strength going forward, saying:
“Keeping a clean sheet is vital for us defenders. We know our attackers will score, so our job is to stop goals. LAFC had their chances, and we need to reduce those next game.”
With a condensed tournament format, Chelsea can’t afford many mistakes. Colwill added that future matches will pose greater challenges:
“We’ll be facing different kinds of teams, which will be tough, but it’s a chance to learn and grow. Now, all focus is on the next match.”
The victory puts Chelsea in a good position in their group, but head coach Enzo Maresca and his squad understand there’s work to be done if they hope to lift the trophy. For now, the three points offer a solid foundation to build on.