Enzo Maresca is clearly concerned about the efforts his players are having to put in to compete at the Club World Cup in the United States.
Chelsea had already played 57 games in the 2024/25 season before that total was added to with the first group stage win against LAFC on Monday.
Maresca named a strong starting side, however was able to introduce new signing Liam Delap in the second half. Delap’s Blues teammates were impressed with his debut.
With a new Premier League season just two months away, the manager has an extremely tough set of decisions to make surrounding his squad, with rotation surely on the cards for the rest of the group stage.
Enzo Maresca prepared to break Club World Cup rules
This could cause an issue with the competition as a whole though. According to the Mail Online, the Club World Cup’s rules state that the clubs must promise to play their best team throughout the competition.
However, the report goes on to say that the Blues are prepared to put this to the test, starting with their next group stage game against Flamengo.
No European side has beaten a South American club in the Club World Cup so far, so Chelsea know they will be up against it if they are to pick up all three points.
However, Maresca has named a 24-man squad for the competition, and will argue in theory he is allowed to choose from any of them for any games they deem suitable.
Chelsea could hand first start to Liam Delap
Maresca has hinted that Delap could start against Flamengo. They already know that the Englishman will start the opening Premier League game of the campaign against Crystal Palace due to Nicolas Jackson’s suspension.
Delap will also be called upon for the December fixture against former club Manchester City, with Jackson set to be at the African Cup of Nations when the Blues make the trip to the Etihad.
There is also a chance of rotation throughout the squad for the second group stage game, with many wanting to see Andrey Santos in action following his excellent loan spell at Strasbourg.
New midfielder Dario Essugo could also be handed a start following his cameo appearance in the 2-0 victory over LAFC.
