Chelsea Drop Big Names as Club World Cup 2025 Squad Is Finalized
Chelsea Drop Sterling, Felix, Disasi, and Chilwell from 28-Man Club World Cup Squad
Chelsea have announced their official 28-man squad for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in the United States, and it comes with notable exclusions. Raheem Sterling, Joao Felix, Axel Disasi, and Ben Chilwell—players who collectively cost the club around £179 million in transfer fees—have all been left out of the team for the tournament.
The inaugural edition of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup kicks off on Sunday, June 15 (01:00 BST), marking a new era for the competition. Chelsea, who qualified for the tournament as 2021 UEFA Champions League winners, will compete alongside other top clubs from around the globe.
However, four of their most high-profile names will not be part of the journey.
Raheem Sterling, a £50 million acquisition from Manchester City in 2022, endured a challenging 2024/25 season. The 30-year-old England international spent the campaign on loan at Arsenal, starting only 13 games and scoring once. His omission comes as little surprise given his limited contribution in recent months.
Joao Felix, the 25-year-old Portuguese forward, was permanently signed by Chelsea for £45 million last summer but ended the season on loan at AC Milan. Despite scoring seven goals in 20 appearances, his inconsistent form has seemingly cost him a place in the Club World Cup squad.
Defender Axel Disasi, signed from Monaco in 2023 for £38.5 million, played 17 games before finishing the season on loan with Aston Villa. The French international has now also been left out of Chelsea’s plans for the summer tournament.
Ben Chilwell, once a key figure at left-back, was a £45 million signing in 2020. However, the England international made just one appearance for Chelsea last season before spending time on loan at Crystal Palace. He was an unused substitute in Palace’s FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
Adding to the list of absentees is goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, who was loaned out to Strasbourg last season and has not been included in the traveling party to the United States.
Chelsea’s Full Club World Cup 2025 Squad:
Goalkeepers: Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, Mike Penders, Gaga Slonina
Defenders: Marc Cucurella, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill, Mamadou Sarr, Moises Caicedo, Trevoh Chalobah, Reece James, Malo Gusto, Aaron Anselmino, Josh Acheampong
Midfielders: Pedro Neto, Enzo Fernandez, Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, Dario Essugo, Andrey Santos, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Romeo Lavia
Forwards: Liam Delap, Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku, Tyrique George, Marc Guiu
The omissions highlight Chelsea’s transitional phase under their current management, as they focus on a younger, reshaped squad. The Club World Cup provides a global platform to test their new-look team, and the Blues will be hoping to leave a mark in this historic tournament.
