Chelsea’s Club World Cup journey began with calm authority—a 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC, sealed by Pedro Neto’s opener and Enzo Fernandez’s composed strike.
Now, the stakes rise. Flamengo await, a Brazilian powerhouse with pedigree, and Enzo Maresca knows freshness will be key under the lights at Lincoln Financial Field.
Robert Sanchez, sharp and assured with four saves in the opener, should keep his place in goal. At the back, Reece James, given just 45 minutes last time, is expected to return from the first whistle, with Marc Cucurella likely holding the left flank. Levi Colwill and Tosin Adarabioyo, solid as ever, may once again form the central wall.
In midfield, Moises Caicedo offers stability, while Romeo Lavia may make way for Fernandez, whose impact off the bench against LAFC was undeniable. Cole Palmer, the creative nerve, is set to retain his role as the attacking link.
Up front, Neto’s form is hard to ignore—his movement and precision keep him indispensable. Nicolas Jackson could slide into the left-wing role, a position he knows well from his Villarreal days, bringing direct running and an eye for goal. Noni Madueke may step aside in the shuffle.
Then there’s Liam Delap. Signed for £30 million as per ESPN report, and eased into his Chelsea career with a substitute cameo, the former rugby prospect now stands at the cusp of his first start in blue.
For Maresca, it’s a calculated gamble. For Delap, it’s the moment he’s been waiting for.