Chelsea skipper Reece James hasdefiantly claimed the Conference Leauge holders will not roll over against Paris St Germain in tonight's Club World Cup final.
PSG have been supreme throughout the season, with the French club claiming its first Champions League trophy following victory against Inter Milan.
Their dominating league campaign saw them lift the title almost 20 points clear of second-place Marseille, with their form also leading to French Cup and Super Cup triumphs to win another domestic treble.
The Parisians swatted aside Inter Milan in the Champions League final to win their first European title in an astonishing 5-0 demolition job.
PSG crushed Inter Milan 5-0 to win the Champions League on in May
GETTYNow, Luis Enrique’s side find themselves searching for a fifth trophy after dismantling Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid in the semi-final, and Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea is the final obstacle to hurdle.
While Chelsea’s run to the final has been kind, the team have undoubtedly looked cohesive and impressive, with new signings Liam Delap and Joao Pedro settling in quickly.
The latter fired the Blues into the final after two spectacular goals against former club Fluminense earlier in the week.
While Maresca was quick to praise PSG’s quality as “the best team in the world”, he remained insistent that his side would not give in to this dominating side, as has been seen with top European sides such as Real Madrid and Inter.
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Enzo Maresca said PSG are 'the best team in the world' but insisted Chelsea are there to win
Getty“I agree with most of the people when they say that they are the best team in Europe, the best team in the world,” Maresca said. “The reason why is because they are showing this.
“They’re showing it in France, they’re showing it in the Champions League, they are showing it in this competition. We have maximum respect for them.
"I said in my last press conference that I really enjoy watching them, but at the same time, we are here to try to do our best and to win the final.”
Skipper James was in agreement with his boss, although he gave a significantly more assertive response: “This game is a super high-level game. They are one of the hottest teams in the world at the moment, but this is a final. This is a one-off game.
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“Everyone has them down as strong favourites, but I’ve been in many finals before where we’ve been favourites and we [didn’t] come out on top.
“So this doesn’t mean too much to me. And I don’t really care to be honest. Everyone is [talking about] our opposition, but we’ll prepare for them right and we’re going to win.”
While PSG have the potential to win a historic sextuple, playing Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Super Cup next month, Chelsea have an opportunity of their own to lift an impressive double, after their Conference League triumph in May.
The Blues have made significant strides under Maresca, who was appointed just one year ago after he won the Championship with Leicester, with the team now playing with much more synergy.
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Chelsea captain Reece James declared 'I don't care' about the opponent, and are 'gong there to win'
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The Italian inherited a chaotic dressing room from Mauricio Pochettino, with erratic and unpredictable incomings and outgoings.
One £60million incoming who has flourished under Maresca is Marc Cucurella, and he has stated his confidence in the team and declared the side as “ready” for the challenge.
"I have a lot of confidence in the team,” Cucurella said. “We arrive in good form, we have a lot of confidence in our players, in our teammates, in our style.
“Madrid made two big mistakes in two minutes, which changed the game completely. If Madrid didn’t make these mistakes, I think it would be more even but that is football.
“Hopefully, we can learn about this. We know that they start the games very fast, very strong. Hopefully we can manage this and put the game in a way we want it to be.
“They have a lot of good players. They play good football but a final is a final and we can do our job as well. We have a good opportunity to show that we are ready. I think we are ready.”
Chelsea conclude their Club World Cup, and season, at 8pm on Sunday evening.