Chelsea Win Club World Cup Opener, But John Obi Mikel Slams Noni Madueke’s Performance
ATLANTA, USA – Chelsea kicked off their FIFA Club World Cup 2025 campaign with a confident 2-0 victory over Los Angeles FC, but former Blues star John Obi Mikel wasn’t entirely impressed—calling out winger Noni Madueke for a lackluster showing.
Goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernández secured the three points for Enzo Maresca’s side at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the Premier League giants.
🚨 John Obi Mikel Slams Madueke After Flat Display
Despite the win, Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel voiced his disappointment in Noni Madueke’s performance during his appearance on DAZN.
“We need more from Madueke. I was frustrated with him in the first half,” Mikel said. “He had a lot of the ball but didn’t beat his man. His final ball was poor. That has to improve.”
The 22-year-old, signed from PSV for £30 million in 2023, struggled to create chances or threaten LAFC’s defense. He was substituted in the second half for academy prospect Tyrique George, prompting fresh doubts about his future at the club.
Sources inside the club have hinted that Chelsea may be open to offers for Madueke during the summer transfer window, especially if performances don’t improve as the tournament progresses.
✅ Neto and Fernández Fire Chelsea to Group D Lead
Chelsea’s goals came in each half:
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Pedro Neto scored the opener with a stunning strike after a slick pass from Nicolas Jackson
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Enzo Fernández sealed the win in the 77th minute, calmly finishing after a clever assist from new signing Liam Delap
The result puts Chelsea in a strong position atop Group D, with upcoming fixtures against Flamengo and ES Tunis.
🔍 Liam Delap Shines on Debut
Manager Enzo Maresca praised the contributions of debutant Liam Delap, who joined from Ipswich Town in a £30 million summer deal.
“It’s a very good result,” Maresca told reporters. “Liam understands our playing style perfectly. It was great to see him and Dario Essugo step in and make an impact.”
Delap replaced Jackson in the second half and needed just minutes to register his first assist in a Chelsea shirt—finding Fernández with a perfectly weighted pass.
📉 Low Attendance, But Chelsea Remain Focused
The match, hosted at the 71,000-capacity Mercedes-Benz Stadium, drew only 22,137 spectators, a surprisingly low turnout for such a high-profile fixture.
Still, Chelsea delivered a professional and composed performance, avoiding the early-tournament slip-ups that often plague European sides at the Club World Cup.
Though the Blues didn’t match Bayern Munich’s 10-0 demolition or PSG’s 4-0 rout, they remain firmly on track to progress in the newly expanded competition.
🔜 What’s Next for Chelsea?
With Flamengo and ES Tunis awaiting in the group stage, Maresca knows his side must improve—particularly in wide areas, where players like Madueke will be under pressure to step up.