This is the Chelsea confirmed lineup for the semi-final of the Club World Cup. The Blues will take on former leader ‘O Monstro‘ Thiago Silva when they meet Fluminense. Enzo Maresca will have headaches to juggle with fitness doubts of Benoit Badiashile and Romeo Lavia in addition to suspensions for Levi Colwill and Liam Delap. His centre-back options are diminishing which could see him get creative.
Rob Sanchez starts in goal behind a back line of Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Cucurella, Trevoh Chalobah, Malo Gusto. Enzo Fernandez starts next to Moises Caicedo in the double pivot. The attacking four sees Christopher Nkunku, Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, and new signing Joao Pedro compete for the four spots.
There’s a few changes but likely a similar setup with Nkunku likely pulling in from the left to occupy the ten space alongside Palmer or vice versa. The big decision is new signing Pedro getting the nod over Nicolas Jackson to lead the line despite the lack of match sharpness.
Gusto getting the nod over Reece James is a worrisome sign for the health of the captain after he pulled out of the previous match during the warm ups. His replacement against Palmerias also drops out as Andrey Santos is replaced by Caicedo. The swath of attacking talents is forcing Enzo back into the pivot again with the side likely setting up with a 3-1-6 in-possession with either Gusto or Cucurella inverting.
Fabio, Thiago Silva, Ignacio, Santos, Rene, Nonato, Bernal, Hercules, Guga, Cano, Arias
Stay tuned for the Chelsea confirmed lineup. There will be news as well as discussions on who started, who missed out, and what alterations Maresca could make to his system.
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