Chelsea head coach, Enzo Maresca, has said, the Premier League side will make some rotation for the encounter against Tunisian side, Esperance, in the final Group D match of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
The Italian said, the rotation is very necessary as the players who fielded in the first two matches are obviously tired.
He said, “Tomorrow, we will do some rotation because the ones who played two games are quite tired to play again.”
Chelsea and Esperance will lock horns in the final Preliminary match at Lincoln Financial Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Wednesday 25 June, 2025 at 02:00 (WAT).
In the first match, Chelsea emerged victorious over Major League Soccer (MLS) side, Los Angeles FC, 2-0, however, were humiliated 3-1 by Brazilian side, Flamengo.
The Tunisian side will definitely not make it easy for the Blues as they need a victory to progress to the round of 16 of the tournament; after clinching a lone goal victory over Los Angeles FC.
According to the Club’s official website, at his pre-match conference, Maresca, who guided Chelsea to Uefa Europa Conference League 2024/25 glory, said: “Tomorrow, we will do some rotation because the ones who played two games are quite tired to play again.
“So we will make rotation, and we will see if there is a chance for those who haven’t played as much.”
Senegalese forward, Nicolas Jackson, will not field for the Blues after bagging a red card in the game against Flamengo after launching his studs on the shin of a player of the Brazilian side; and defender, Reece James, will be missing in action due to illness.
Maresca continued: “Reece, the reason why [he didn’t train] is because he is ill. Levi Colwill has also been ill in the last two days, but today was better and part of the session.
“Nico was not in the session this morning, as it’s the day before the game and we just used the ones who are available for the game.”
On the weather, Maresca said: “It’s almost impossible to train a full session because of the weather.
“We are trying to save energy for the game; this morning’s session was very short, just plan for tomorrow, that’s it. No more than that.
“It’s not easy with these temperatures, but we will give our best tomorrow to get to the next stage of the competition.”
