Roman Abramovich is at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium to see if Chelsea can become world champions for the first time tonight.

The owner arrived in Abu Dhabi today, hot on the heels of Thomas Tuchel’s run to the emirate yesterday after recovering from Covid-19, ahead of the game against Palmeiras. Abramovich could be seen posing for photos in the VIP section.

He attended both the men’s and women’s Champions League final and watched his first game at Stamford Bridge for three years in November, the draw with Manchester United.

Despite a perception of little importance in England for decades, Chelsea are determined to win the Club World Cup.

It’s the only trophy to have eluded them since Abramovich bought the club 19 years ago and the 2012 defeat to Yokohama Corinthians was described as a regret by now technical adviser Petr Cech and the Captain Cesar Azpilicueta.

It makes more sense for Brazilian defender Thiago Silva, while Mateo Kovacic will be aiming to win this competition for the third time.

Jorginho, who already has the rare distinction of being a reigning European club and international football champion, has even more after revealing yesterday that he was rejected by Palmeiras at the age of 12.

“Let me tell you something not many people know,” he said at the pre-match press conference yesterday. “The connection I have with Palmeiras is that I tried out for the team when I was 12 and didn’t make the team.

“That’s the only memory I have of Palmeiras. That’s how football is. We’re here 18 years later to play a Club World Cup final against Palmerias and it’s crazy and also why the Football is so beautiful. Everything happens for a reason. Maybe it was better that way.”