Chelsea vs LAFC: Delap’s Debut vs Giroud’s Goodbye —From West London to Hollywood, Who Owns the Spotlight?

When Chelsea walks out in Atlanta, it won’t just be about the football. It’ll be about identity, ambition, and how two very different clubs have grown into global names. 

One is backed by an American billionaire. The other is American. Chelsea, Conference League winners and regulars on the big stage, are starting a new chapter built on young talent. LAFC, just seven years old, are rising fast, with a style and swagger that fits the world’s biggest stage. 

This is legacy vs ambition. Old money vs new fire. West London tradition meets Hollywood flair. 

📊 First-ever competitive meeting between both clubs 

📊 Chelsea won the 2024 UEFA Conference League & finished top 4 in the EPL 

📊 LAFC qualified via a last-minute playoff vs Club América 

📊 Chelsea scored 94 goals in 51 matches last season

📊 LAFC are unbeaten in 10 games across all comps 

 📊 Chelsea won 3 of their last 4 matches vs non-European club 

 📊 Cole Palmer (15) & Denis Bouanga (11) were joint top scorers for their teams 

Chelsea’s 28-man squad for the Club World Cup blends the future with familiar firepower. New signings Liam Delap, Dario Essugo, and Mamadou Sarr have all made the trip to Atlanta, with Delap in particular tipped to lead the line in this group opener. It’s a fresh start under Enzo Maresca, and a big stage for fresh legs. 

The core of Chelsea’s squad remains intact—Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Enzo Fernandez, and Moises Caicedo are all present and expected to carry the weight. 

On the LAFC side, it’s a reunion and a sendoff rolled into one. Olivier Giroud, now 38 and still finding the net, leads the line against his former club. The French striker will be LA’s emotional centerpiece, just as he was in their extra-time play-in win to qualify. Celtic loanee Odin Holm adds midfield quality, though he's likely to miss this opener with a lingering leg issue. 

All the storylines are set—debuts, returns, and a touch of nostalgia. Chelsea and LAFC both arrive with ambition, but only one gets to start their Club World Cup journey with three points. 

Chelsea (4-2-3-1) 🔵: Penders; James, Badiashile, Adarabioyo, Cucurella; Caicedo, Lavia; Madueke, Palmer, Jackson; Delap 

LAFC (4-3-3) ⚫🟡: Lloris; Palencia, Segura, Marlon, Hollingshead; Tillman, Jesus, Delgado; Yeboah, Giroud, Bouanga 

🔹 Cole World Begins: Palmer’s breakout season turned heads. Now, he has the keys, this is his stage to own. 

🔹 Delap’s First Strike: It’s a big moment for Liam Delap. The 22-year-old forward is set to make his Chelsea debut—and what better place than the world stage? All eyes on how he handles the spotlight. 

🔹 Olivier’s Last Dance? 38 years old, but still scoring. Giroud’s experience could be gold in a chaotic group. 

🔹 Midfield Balance: Caicedo and Lavia vs Tillman and Bogusz—who sets the rhythm? 

🔹 Atlanta Atmosphere: LAFC may be American, but Chelsea’s global fanbase travels. This won’t feel like home for either side. 

🔹 Group Pressure: With Flamengo and Esperance also lurking, there’s no margin for a slow start.