Chelsea are just hours away from getting their Club World Cup campaign underway with their opening group game against MLS outfit LAFC.
Enzo Maresca’s side are taking the competition seriously, and will be aware of the quality around them in the United States. Bayern Munich laid the first big marker with a 10-0 win over Auckland City.
The Blues have new signing Liam Delap available for the competition, as well as Andrey Santos, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr.
It remains to be seen whether the boss will hand the Englishman his debut from the start, or if he will stick with Nicolas Jackson following his goal in the Conference League final.
Another option Maresca has in his Club World Cup squad is Christopher Nkunku, who hardly featured towards the end of the season due to injury.
Nkunku was not subbed on in the Conference League final, with many believing that his time as a Chelsea player is coming to an end.
The Frenchman looks set to miss at least the first game of the competition too. According to journalist Kieran Gill, he was part of a group of players who did not train the day before the match.
He said: “Chelsea currently training. Only ones missing are Christopher Nkunku, Marc Guiu, Josh Acheampong and Aaron Anselmino. Everyone else involved for Chelsea.”
Nkunku sent damning message about his future
After two ineffective seasons as part of the Chelsea squad following his £52m move, it looks as if time is running out on Nkunku’s career in West London.
Some poor performances during Jackson’s absence last season saw many give up hope, with one of those being club legend John Obi Mikel.
Mikel has told Chelsea to sell Nkunku this summer, with them also needing to find a solution for the uncertain future of fellow attacker Joao Felix.
Gabby Agbonlahor has told Felix and Nkunku to leave too, and the Frenchman is already set to miss out on his first opportunity to prove people wrong at the Club World Cup.
