Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has delivered a worrying replace forward of Friday’s Membership World Cup quarter-final towards Palmeiras, revealing that Romeo Lavia is struggling to be match.
The Blues beat Benfica 4-1 within the final 16 in a loopy recreation, which was delayed for 2 hours resulting from hostile climate situations.
The West Londoners will likely be hoping for a extra simple job once they come up towards the Brazilian outfit and future participant Estevao Willian.
Nicolas Jackson returns in assault after a two-game suspension following his crimson card towards Flamengo within the group stage.
Nonetheless, Chelsea have doubtlessly been dealt one other blow, after Maresca revealed he’s not sure if Lavia will likely be match.
“Romeo, we aren’t certain he might be match, we’ll strive tomorrow,” he advised his pre-match press convention.
“He had small issues on the finish of the final recreation towards Benfica. It’s simply muscular issues and tomorrow we’ll see if he’s match – Moi is suspended additionally – so we have to discover options.”
Chelsea head into the last-eight showdown with the Brazilian giants bidding to maneuver nearer to what can be a profitable triumph in the US.
Estevao Willian’s scenario is a big sub-plot forward of the sport in Philadelphia because the 18-year-old faces Chelsea previous to his £51.5m switch to Stamford Bridge.
Whereas Maresca was quizzed on that state of affairs at his pre-match press convention, the Italian additionally recommended that Chelsea can be lacking one other key participant.
Enzo Maresca’s group will likely be with out the suspended Moises Caicedo,with the midfielder serving a one-match suspension, which is a large blow, however the Blues have choices and will convey Dario Essugo in.
The hope had been that Lavia might accomplice Enzo Fernandez or another within the engine room, however it seems that the Belgium worldwide will likely be absent.
Regardless of accumulating 216 minutes throughout 4 outings on the Membership World Cup, Lavia has nonetheless solely made 23 appearances for Chelsea since signing from Southampton in 2023.
The vast majority of Chelsea followers will wish to see a primary aggressive begin for Andrey Santos, however the Brazilian has solely made one substitute outing on this match.
Moreover, Maresca has beforehand indicated that he views Santos as somebody with the identical qualities as Fernandez, making it unlikely that they’ll function as a midfield two.
Reece James might transfer into the engine room to accomplice Fernandez with Malo Gusto or Trevoh Chalobah deputising at right-back.
There’s additionally the potential of Dario Essugo beginning in central midfield with Maresca having already admitted that he has taken a liking to the previous Sporting Lisbon teen.
Recall, Softfootball had beforehand reported that Tottenham and Newcastle has joined race for Chelsea’s Josh Acheampong amid switch uncertainty.
Josh Acheampong has been the topic of switch hypothesis, however in a twist, the younger defender just lately signed a contract extension. Regardless of that, Softfootball has gathered that Chelsea are open to promoting the 19-year-old if a beneficial supply is available in.
Acheampong is a participant extremely appreciated by Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca. He made 13 appearances final season, coming by the ranks at Cobham Academy.
Chelsea, nevertheless, are well-stocked within the right-back division, with Reece James and Malo Gusto forward of him within the pecking order. This depth is likely one of the causes the Blues is perhaps open to a sale. One other key issue is that offloading a homegrown participant would enormously profit Chelsea’s PSR (Revenue and Sustainability Guidelines) compliance.
