Enzo Maresca faces major Club World Cup selection call after 'costly' Benfica win
Chelsea played out a four-and-a-half-hour match against Benfica before finally sealing their place in the Club World Cup quarterfinals.
The match was delayed for nearly two hours as thunderstorms threatened to derail Chelsea's win. After an unlucky handball and VAR intervention, Benfica equalized from the penalty spot.
Enzo Maresca's side prevailed to win 4-1 in extra time, but the win proved costly for the London club as Maresca might have to make unwanted changes to his lineup.
Who might be forced out of Chelsea's quarterfinal clash?
Chelsea's key midfielder Moises Caicedo will be serving a one-match suspension after picking up a yellow card in the Benfica match. Caicedo has been a standout performer for Maresca's side, and his suspension could be costly.
The midfielder could be replaced by Andrey Santos, who is yet to make his full debut for Chelsea. Santos had a good loan spell at Strasbourg, and his potential start in the Club World Cup might be just what he needs to break into the first team.
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Maresca will also have to make adjustments for players who are at risk of being suspended for a potential semi-final match due to yellow card accumulation.
Chelsea captain Cole Palmer is one player that needs to be careful in the quarterfinal, as he has been key to the team's success in the tournament. Liam Delap and Pedro Neto are also at risk for suspension.
Maresca faces a greater crisis in defense, as Reece James, Marc Cucurella, Levi Colwill, and Tosin Adarabioyo are all one yellow card away from a suspension.
One piece of good news for Maresca is the return of Nicolas Jackson after he missed the last two matches because of a red card. Jackson's return could send Delap to the bench to preserve his status for a potential semi-final match.