LEVI COLWILL picked up an unexpected trophy at the end of Chelsea’s triumphant Conference League campaign.
The defender revealed just days before the final last month how much he loves building LEGO sets as a means of therapy and to de-stress away from the pressure of playing top level football.
And as a reward for being part of The Blues’ squad which went all the way to lifting the cup on May 28 in Poland by beating Real Betis, and for giving the famous toy brand a vast amount of free advertising, Colwill received a set in the post from grateful bosses at the Danish toy company.
It is a Marvel Spider-Man head made up of 487 pieces and should keep the centre-back occupied during his downtime at the Club World Cup.
Colwill told how he used LEGO to keep his spirits up while injured last season, constructing a model of the Home Alone house.
Watch this space for the next opportunity to catch up with England star Colwill to see how the building work is getting along….
CHELSEA boss Enzo Maresca was asked by a local reporter at the Club Club World Cup what he had made of Philadelphia so far.
The hardworking Italian replied that he is an expert on the route between the training ground and the hotel and not much else as he has not had a chance to get out and see much.
Philadelphia is a cracking city. It is one of three cities that have served as the capital of the vast country along with New York and Washington DC.
At least some of the players have found time to get out and about. And SunSport’s crack team out here literally bumped into distinctive-looking Marc Cucurella and a group of other players on an afternoon stroll through the city centre just a few days ago.
FILIPE LUIS is known as one of the nicest men in football. And the Brazilian former defender only enhanced his reputation before last Friday’s Club World Cup game between Chelsea and Flamengo.
The full-back stayed only one season at Chelsea and failed to really settle. But he did make friends as well as win the Premier League and League Cup.
Luis is now manager of Brazilians Flamengo and given that he left Stamford Bridge ten years ago could have easily brushed over his history with Chelsea.
But before kick off he spotted Chelsea’s club photographer Darren Walsh in the dugout area and made a point of seeking out the long-serving Blues’ snapper.
The pair embraced and Luis immediately thanked Walsh for the photo he gave him showing him holding the Premier League trophy aloft back in 2015.
Luis, 39, says he still takes great pride displaying the snap on a wall at his home in South America.
CHELSEA fans are concerned that Andrey Santos might just be toast at Stamford Bridge, before he’s even been given a real chance.
The Brazilian midfielder was exceptional in Ligue 1 last season on loan at sister club RC Strasbourg, but is yet to be given a chance at the Club World Cup for Chelsea.
New boys Dario Essugo and Liam Delap have both had minutes, with the former’s involvement in particular confusing fans as he plays in a similar position to Santos.
That confusion was compounded as he received no minutes whatsoever against Flamengo, prevalent because Santos came from Vasco Da Gama, meaning he would’ve had the fire in his belly had he been given a chance against Brazilian rivals.
The worry among fans is similar to the worry that has been realised by Djordje Petrovic – that without a starting spot at Chelsea, a talented player will leave in search of first team football.
Should he not be untouchable, the midfielder has been linked with PSG, Bayern Munich, and Arsenal – but is still expected to stay at Stamford Bridge and be given a chance to compete with Romeo Lavia and Enzo Fernandez for a place in the middle of the park.
He is expected to be given an opportunity in the Blues’ final Club World Cup group game vs ES Tunis, with Maresca hinting at rotation for his side.
The Chelsea boss said: “For sure, tomorrow we are going to do rotation. We’ll see if there is any chance for the ones that are not playing a lot.”
That could also mean minutes for the likes of Christopher Nkunku and even Mike Penders in goal, depending on how much the Italian wants to rotate in the scorching weather.
One thing is for sure, should Santos be left to watch his team-mates again, he will be disgruntled.
STYLE is synonymous with Chelsea in the modern era, and nothing personifies that more than their incredible line-up of kits for the 25/26 season.
But with the simply ridiculous price it costs to buy a football shirt, you have to be selective with which one you buy.
The Blues’ home and away kit launches have both gone down a treat with fans, with many rushing to buy their new bit of gear with ‘PALMER 10’ on the back, as well the flashy Champions League sleeve badges – but perhaps when they see the leaked pre-match shirt they will be wishing they saved their hard earned cash, as pre-match kits are significantly cheaper.
This new ‘leaked’ bit of kit follows shirt manufacturer Nike’s ‘T90’ theme for next season, as they tap into the nostalgia that has gripped football and fashion of late.
The retro badge and total 90 detailing is also expected to feature on a black third kit for Chelsea, which may just be the pick of the bunch and will be a popular wardrobe choice at Stamford Bridge next season no doubt.
THIAGO Silva had sections of the Chelsea fanbase in tears as he left the Blues a hero just over a season ago.
But his form at the Club World Cup this summer is perhaps showing he could’ve still done a job for Enzo Maresca’s side this season – even in a reduced capacity.
Back at his boyhood club Fluminese, he played 90 minutes in a clean sheet performance against Borussia Dortmund, winning the most aerial duels of anyone in the game, making clearances, three interceptions and not being dribbled past ONCE.
Not only that, Silva showed the kind of impact he had on the dressing room at Chelsea, with a touching moment on the pitch between the Brazilian legend and on-loan starlet Carney Chukwuemeka.
Perhaps with him around, Chelsea could have finished even higher in the league table, and there is no denying that someone of his stature would be handy in their Champions League campaign next season.
The 40-year-old has undoubtedly aged like the finest wines, and will almost definitely be back at Chelsea in some way, shape or form in the future.
CHELSEA starlet Estevao Willian has long been nicknamed ‘Messinho’ in his native Brazil, and tipped by many to follow in the great Argentine’s footsteps.
They faced off last night, as Palmeiras drew 2-2 with Inter Miami, in a game in which the Brazilian was one of the best players on the pitch despite not scoring.
The starlet swapped shirts with both Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, who scored and grabbed an assist in the match, in what some fans highlighted as a ‘passing of the torch’ moment.
FORMER Chelsea striker Hernan Crespo has landed a top coaching job in Brazil and will now play a major role in the development of the Blues’ latest wonderkid signing.
Crespo is taking over at Sao Paulo again after answering the club’s call to replace fellow Argentinean Luis Zubeldia.
The 49-year-old returns just over four years after he led them to the Sao Paulo state title to end the club’s nine-year trophy drought.
He took coaching jobs in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates after that, taking Al-Ain to the Asian Champions League title in 2024 and earning them a berth at the current Club World Cup.
Crespo spent five years on the books at Stamford Bridge, where he played under Jose Mourinho and was part of the Blues’ Premier League title-winning team in 2005-06.
The Sao Paulo squad he inherits is a classic blend of youth and experience featuring a trio of stars who made an impact in England.
Ex-Chelsea star Oscar is back at the club after a lengthy spell in China while former Tottenham winger Lucas Moura returned to reclaim the number seven shirt two years ago.
Cedric Soares, the Portuguese full-back who enjoyed spells at Southampton, Arsenal and Fulham, adds experience to the Sao Paulo backline.
The 33-year-old will be looking over his shoulder at an emerging talent who caught the eye of Chelsea scouts at this year’s South American Under-17 Championships and could be destined for stardom one day.
Angelo Candido, 16, started all six of Brazil’s matches in the tournament as they swept all comers aside to win the title with the Sao Paulo starlet netting their goal in the final with a spectacular header.
The Blues’ network must have liked what they saw because sister club Strasbourg swooped to sign the teenager in a £4.5m deal earlier this month.
He cannot officially make the move until after his 18th birthday, but has every chance of making a first-team breakthrough before then if he continues his rapid rise through the ranks.
That will be up to Crespo to decide.
Angelo is currently in training with the Brazil Under-17 side as they prepare to face their Mexican counterparts in a couple of friendlies in the countdown to the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in November.
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