The Club World Cup felt like pre-season, but we had to tell ourselves it wasn't. It was a big tournament and we were there to win it, not play around' Chelsea star's honest reflection on last summer's triumph in the United States

"At the beginning, the Club World Cup was a bit weird, goalkeeper Robert Sanchez admitted. Going to the USA right in the middle of summer, it was very hot. It felt like pre-season, but we had to say to ourselves that it wasn't pre-season, it was a big tournament, and we needed to get going and be focused."

"The further into the competition we got, the more exciting the games were. It was certainly different to many other major tournaments a European star like Sanchez has experienced, but there were plenty of positives to take from the trip."

Chelsea became the first team to win the revamped Club World Cup, defeating Paris Saint-Germain 3-0. The tournament featured teams like LAFC, Flamengo, and Benfica, which Chelsea typically wouldn't face. Despite initial challenges, including extreme heat and pitch conditions, the team focused on winning. Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez noted the competition's unusual nature but acknowledged the excitement as they progressed. Enzo Maresca expressed confidence that the tournament could rival the Champions League in importance in the future.

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