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Preview: Chelsea need a result against Tunisian side Esperance

Preview: Chelsea need a result against Tunisian side Esperance

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Chelsea require a positive result and performance to bounce back from losing to Flamengo and make the next round of the Club World Cup.

By Graham Ruthven

Response required

The 3-1 defeat to Flamengo was damaging for Chelsea. Not only did it put Enzo Maresca’s team on the back foot at the Club World Cup, it highlighted how the Blues remain a work-in-progress this summer.

Chelsea were distinctly second best against the Brazilian league leaders. It didn’t help that they were reduced to 10 men following Nicolas Jackson’s moment of madness minutes after the Senegalese striker was introduced off the bench.

Maresca needs a positive response from his players against Espérance, not just to reset the tone within the dressing room, but to secure a place in the last 16 of the Club World Cup. An early exit would be humiliating.

A draw would be enough for Chelsea to progress. Espérance, however, can make the last 16 by beating the Premier League outfit after seeing off Los Angeles FC in their last game. 

The Tunisians have only lost once in all competitions since the start of April and will look to play on the break as they did against Flamengo when the Brazilians found it challenging to break through.

Key players

Liam Delap will lead the line for Chelsea with Jackson unavailable through suspension. The former Ipswich Town striker already looks to have dislodged Jackson from the lineup and is searching for his first goal in blue.

Cole Palmer was deployed on the right side of Chelsea’s midfield for the game against Flamengo, limiting his influence as an attacking threat. Maresca could therefore shift Palmer back into a central role to face Espérance.

Pedro Neto has enjoyed a strong tournament to date, scoring in back-to-back games. The winger will be a threat once more with his direct running and determination to get into the final third.

Youcef Belaïli scored the winning goal for Espérance against LAFC and the 33-year-old attacker is expected to be the Tunisian’s most dangerous player when they come up against Chelsea in Philadelphia.

Elias Mokwana will be another threat to the Chelsea backline with the 25-year-old set to start on the right wing where he will be up against Marc Cucurella. At the back, Yassine Meriah will be charged with organising the defensive line.

Team news

Maher Kanzari has a fully fit and available squad to choose from as Espérance attempt to reach the knockout rounds of the Club World Cup with what would be the biggest result in the Tunisian club’s history.

Jackson is suspended after seeing red in the loss to Flamengo, as mentioned. However, it’s likely Delap would have started as Chelsea’s first-choice centre forward regardless of Jackson’s availability.

Levi Colwill and Reece James are doubts due to illness. The pair missed training on Monday and might not have recovered in time. This could force Maresca to reshuffle his defence and midfield, meaning Roméo Lavia and Tosin Adarabioyo might be in line to start.

Prediction

After the embarrassment caused by Flamengo on Matchday 2 we’re fully expecting the Premier League side to respond and seal their progression safely through to the knockout stages of the competition: Espérance 0-2 Chelsea.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Club World Cup with FotMob this summer – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Preview: Chelsea need a result against Tunisian side Esperance

Chelsea require a positive result and performance to bounce back from losing to Flamengo and make the next round of the Club World Cup.

By Graham Ruthven

Response required

The 3-1 defeat to Flamengo was damaging for Chelsea. Not only did it put Enzo Maresca’s team on the back foot at the Club World Cup, it highlighted how the Blues remain a work-in-progress this summer.

Chelsea were distinctly second best against the Brazilian league leaders. It didn’t help that they were reduced to 10 men following Nicolas Jackson’s moment of madness minutes after the Senegalese striker was introduced off the bench.

Maresca needs a positive response from his players against Espérance, not just to reset the tone within the dressing room, but to secure a place in the last 16 of the Club World Cup. An early exit would be humiliating.

A draw would be enough for Chelsea to progress. Espérance, however, can make the last 16 by beating the Premier League outfit after seeing off Los Angeles FC in their last game. 

The Tunisians have only lost once in all competitions since the start of April and will look to play on the break as they did against Flamengo when the Brazilians found it challenging to break through.

Key players

Liam Delap will lead the line for Chelsea with Jackson unavailable through suspension. The former Ipswich Town striker already looks to have dislodged Jackson from the lineup and is searching for his first goal in blue.

Cole Palmer was deployed on the right side of Chelsea’s midfield for the game against Flamengo, limiting his influence as an attacking threat. Maresca could therefore shift Palmer back into a central role to face Espérance.

Pedro Neto has enjoyed a strong tournament to date, scoring in back-to-back games. The winger will be a threat once more with his direct running and determination to get into the final third.

Youcef Belaïli scored the winning goal for Espérance against LAFC and the 33-year-old attacker is expected to be the Tunisian’s most dangerous player when they come up against Chelsea in Philadelphia.

Elias Mokwana will be another threat to the Chelsea backline with the 25-year-old set to start on the right wing where he will be up against Marc Cucurella. At the back, Yassine Meriah will be charged with organising the defensive line.

Team news

Maher Kanzari has a fully fit and available squad to choose from as Espérance attempt to reach the knockout rounds of the Club World Cup with what would be the biggest result in the Tunisian club’s history.

Jackson is suspended after seeing red in the loss to Flamengo, as mentioned. However, it’s likely Delap would have started as Chelsea’s first-choice centre forward regardless of Jackson’s availability.

Levi Colwill and Reece James are doubts due to illness. The pair missed training on Monday and might not have recovered in time. This could force Maresca to reshuffle his defence and midfield, meaning Roméo Lavia and Tosin Adarabioyo might be in line to start.

Prediction

After the embarrassment caused by Flamengo on Matchday 2 we’re fully expecting the Premier League side to respond and seal their progression safely through to the knockout stages of the competition: Espérance 0-2 Chelsea.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Club World Cup with FotMob this summer – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.