The European Champion, Chelsea will attempt to lift their first Club World Cup title as the seven-team competition kicks off Thursday in Abu Dhabi.

Chelsea flies out to the UAE following Saturday’s FA Cup tie against third-tier Plymouth and is aiming to become the third English club to win the trophy after Manchester United and Liverpool.

Speaking on the tournament, Chelsea coach, Thomas Tuchel, has this to say “I have to say once you are in it you are pretty excited,”

“Once you are not in it, it is a competition that has not the highest focus and highest value. It seems like this in Europe, or only for me.

“But once you are in it and you start planning it and you see it coming on the horizon is it quite exciting.”

Recall that CEOAFRICA reported that Tuchel guided Chelsea to a 1-0 victory over Manchester City in last season’s Champions League final. The Blues then edged Villarreal on penalties to claim the UEFA Super Cup in August.

Chelsea return to the Club World Cup for a second time having finished as runners-up to Corinthians in 2012 in Japan the last time a team from outside Europe won the trophy.

They will play Asian Champions League winners Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia, local side Al Jazira or Tahiti’s AS Pirae in the semi-finals here on February 9.

“It is a big opportunity to win an extraordinary trophy which is far from daily business and that is why we will do anything to take the chance to make it happen,” said Tuchel.

Recent Club World Cup winners

2020: Bayern Munich (GER)

2019: Liverpool (ENG)

2018: Real Madrid (ESP)

2017: Real Madrid (ESP)

2016: Real Madrid (ESP)

2015: Barcelona (ESP)

2014: Real Madrid (ESP)

2013: Bayern Munich (GER)

2012: Corinthians (BRA)

2011: Barcelona (ESP)