Chelsea Star Admits Blues “Weren’t Perfect” Despite Opening Club World Cup Win Over LAFC

Chelsea kicked off their Club World Cup campaign with a solid 2-0 victory over Los Angeles FC, but the performance left room for improvement—something defender Levi Colwill did not shy away from admitting.

The match, held in a largely underwhelming atmosphere with only 22,000 spectators in attendance despite the venue’s much larger capacity, saw Chelsea claim all three points in their group stage opener. However, the players and coaching staff know they will need to sharpen their performance as the tournament progresses.

Speaking after the match, Levi Colwill emphasized the importance of the win but was candid about the team’s shortcomings. “The most important thing was to get the win and that’s what we have done,” Colwill said in an interview with Chelsea’s official website. “We picked and chose our moments where we could attack and where we could keep the ball. It wasn’t the perfect performance, but in tournament football, you just need to win.”

Chelsea’s goals came at crucial moments, with Pedro Neto opening the scoring in the first half. His finish came after a smart piece of play from Nicolas Jackson, who delivered a pinpoint assist that carved open the LAFC defence. It was a confident strike that settled early nerves and gave Chelsea control.

The second goal came after the break, this time from World Cup-winning midfielder Enzo Fernandez. The Argentine was assisted by new signing Liam Delap, whose intelligent pass inside the box allowed Fernandez to calmly slot home from close range. The chemistry between the young forward and Fernandez was a positive sign for Chelsea fans.

Despite the goals, Chelsea’s overall display was far from polished. They lost their rhythm in large parts of the second half and allowed LAFC several scoring opportunities. Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez had to be at his very best, making a series of crucial saves that preserved the clean sheet.

Colwill, who played a key role in Chelsea’s defence, acknowledged the lapses and stressed the need for greater defensive concentration. “To take a clean sheet is the most important thing for the defenders,” he added. “You know we’ve got amazing attackers and they always score goals. So for us defenders in the team, we need to keep clean sheets to win games. And of course they had their chances, but hopefully next game we can minimise them.”

The Club World Cup’s condensed format means there’s little margin for error. Chelsea will face increasingly challenging opponents, and consistency will be key if they hope to lift the trophy. Colwill acknowledged this, saying: “We’re coming up against different teams and that will be a huge challenge, but we’re going to enjoy it and learn different things.”

Chelsea’s manager, Enzo Maresca, has every reason to be pleased with the result but will undoubtedly spend the days ahead focusing on tightening up his team’s overall play. The Italian tactician knows that winning ugly might work in the group stages, but later rounds will demand more fluidity and fewer defensive mishaps.

One of the more encouraging signs from the win was the contribution of the club’s recent additions. Liam Delap, who had not yet fully settled into the squad before the tournament, showed composure and footballing intelligence with his assist. Meanwhile, Pedro Neto’s directness and flair proved valuable in stretching the LAFC backline.

Enzo Fernandez’s goal underlined his importance to the side, not just as a deep-lying playmaker but as someone who can pop up with vital goals when needed. His confidence and calmness on the ball continue to make him one of Chelsea’s most reliable performers on the global stage.

Chelsea fans watching the game may have been left feeling a mix of relief and concern. While the team showed flashes of brilliance, there were also moments of carelessness that could be punished by more clinical opposition in the later rounds.

The squad’s depth could also come into focus. With fixtures coming thick and fast in a tournament setting, Maresca might need to rotate heavily in the upcoming matches. Ensuring the team remains physically fresh while also delivering strong performances will be one of his biggest challenges.

For now, though, Chelsea can afford to breathe a little easier. They sit in a strong position in their group, and with three points secured, their path to the knockout stages is wide open.

Colwill’s honesty reflects the mindset of a team that is not getting carried away by early success. The acknowledgment that the team “wasn’t perfect” serves as a warning to themselves—and to their fans—that the real tests are yet to come.

As the Blues turn their attention to their next game, one thing is certain: the expectations are high, and perfection may be required if Chelsea are to bring home another piece of silverware. The foundation has been laid—but only time will tell if it’s strong enough to support a title run.