Chelsea could be without 4 players against Palmeiras at FIFA Club World Cup

Chelsea could be without four players in their FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinals clash with Pameiras.

Enzo Maresca has revealed that Romeo Lavia will be facing a late fitness test ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Palmeiras. The Belgian midfielder picked up a muscle issue in the 4-1 win over Benfica in the Round of 16.

The manager has added that Pedro Neto will be given the freedom to decide if he wants to play on Friday, following the tragic death of his friend Diogo Jota. The Liverpool star passed away on Thursday after a car accident in Spain, and the Portuguese stars were close friends.

Speaking to the media ahead of the quarter-final, Maresca said:

“We will try tomorrow. He had a small problem at the end of the last game against Benfica. It’s just a muscle problem and tomorrow we will see if he’s fit. Otherwise we will find different solutions because Moi is also suspended. So we will need to find different solutions.”

New signing Joao Pedro is also a doubt for the game as he has been training for just a couple of days. The Brazilian joined Chelsea earlier this week and was on vacation when the deal was agreed with Brighton & Hove Albion.

Maresca admitted that the plan remains to give Pedro a few minutes off the bench in the FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinals, but a decision on him will be taken hours before the game. He said:

“Joao Pedro’s situation is a bit different. He was on holiday and even if he was working, it’s not the same working by yourself compared to working with the team. We are very happy with Joao in the last two days he has worked with us. We will see if we need him tomorrow and if we have the chance to give him some minutes, we will give him some minutes.”

Chelsea are without Moises Caicedo, after the midfielder picked up a second booking of the tournament in the win over Benfica. Liam Delap, Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Marc Cucurella, Levi Colwill, Tosin, and Reece James need to avoid a booking in the Palmeiras game, or they will be suspended for the semifinal if the Blues go through.

Nicolas Jackson is back in the squad after his 2-match ban was done, following his red card in the 2-1 loss to Flamengo.