Chelsea’s participation in the Club World Cup has come at a cost, as the team sacrificed a significant portion of their preseason training. Despite this, manager Enzo Maresca admitted that the club was always looking to experiment and test new formations.
Last night’s match against Philadelphia Union backfired spectacularly, as Chelsea conceded twice in six minutes after being in control for most of the game. Nicolas Jackson’s second red card sealed the team’s fate, leaving them with ten men and ultimately leading to their defeat.
Maresca defended his experimental approach, stating that it was part of the plan to prepare for next season. He played Reece James in a three-man midfield alongside Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández, while Cole Palmer returned to the right flank. However, the execution fell short, and Maresca acknowledged that six minutes changed the game’s dynamic.
The loss won’t prevent Chelsea from reaching the knockout rounds, but it may have made their first matchup against Bayern Munich more challenging than initially anticipated. Nevertheless, Maresca hopes that his team has learned some valuable lessons to apply in future competitions.
Source: https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2025/6/21/24453247/enzo-maresca-rues-six-minutes-that-changed-the-game-in-failed-experiment-against-flamengo