Latest news with #EnzoFernández
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Enzo Maresca has midfield puzzle to solve while Chelsea sweat it out in US
Enzo Maresca sometimes gives the impression he would love nothing more than to name an entire team of midfielders. A conundrum facing Chelsea's head coach, though, is that he will struggle to find space in his starting XI for everyone next season. Chelsea are not short of options in the middle. They have the £100m buys, Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo, and the elegant, deep-lying Roméo Lavia. Yet starting them all in a midfield three is not easy if Cole Palmer plays as a No 10. Advertisement Maresca has had to be creative at times. Chelsea are smoother when Lavia is conducting play. The issue is that squeezing the Belgian into the same side as Palmer and Fernández has often meant moving Caicedo out of the central areas and over to right-back, where the Ecuador international's ball-winning ability is not as pronounced and his lack of defensive nous can be exposed by better teams. Related: 'Sorry, sorry, sorry': Jackson apologises for red card as Flamengo stun Chelsea This is where Maresca has to prove his worth. The head coach looked for a workaround when Chelsea faced Flamengo in their second game at the Club World Cup last Friday, but the plan backfired in scorching conditions in Philadelphia. Palmer shifted to an inside-right role, Fernández played higher and, with Lavia's fitness still being managed, Maresca tried Reece James next to Caicedo in defensive midfield. He dispensed with his usual ploy of using at least one inverted full-back, instead instructing Marc Cucurella to hold his position on the left and Malo Gusto to perform a similar function on the right. Fair enough, you might say, given the Club World Cup is sort of doubling as pre-season for Chelsea, who will have little time to prepare for the Premier League campaign if they reach the final next month. Still, it would have been better if the plan had worked. There has been no suggestion of Chelsea treating their time in the US as an inconvenience, so it was hardly encouraging to see them play so badly during their 3-1 defeat against Flamengo, which leaves them unable to win Group D and at risk of going out when they face Espérance in Philadelphia on Tuesday night. Advertisement Supporters were particularly aggrieved about James's role given that he is a superior right-back to Gusto, who has been out of form for a while, and does not have an extensive history of playing in midfield. Thomas Tuchel, the England head coach and former Chelsea manager, is probably on to something when he says that James is more suited to playing on the right. Few full-backs deliver a better cross than the 25-year-old. Meanwhile there is also the question of why Maresca opted for a right-back in the middle when he had four central midfielders – Lavia, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Andrey Santos and Dário Essugo – on the bench. Such competition for places can be interpreted in two ways. The first is that some individuals are bound to get frustrated with their lack of playing time. What if Willian Estêvão craves a central role rather than a spot on the flanks when he joins from Palmeiras? As for the here and now, fans are particularly worried about Santos not playing in either of Chelsea's first two games in the US. The 21-year-old Brazilian had an excellent season on loan at Strasbourg last season, with 10 goals and four assists for the Ligue 1 side, and he has been talked up a lot by key figures at Stamford Bridge. Related: Chelsea make Gittens top target and keep Kudus and João Pedro in sights Advertisement 'Last season was amazing because it was my first season competing in Europe,' Santos said before the Flamengo game. 'I got made second captain and it was so important for me because I was [on loan] at Nottingham Forest, didn't play and then the year at Strasbourg was so important for me.' It is to be hoped that Santos, who has been linked with Bayern Munich, is ready to be patient. Getting no minutes against Flamengo will be a disappointment given that the Brazil international played for their great rivals, Vasco da Gama, but it is important to maintain perspective. Santos is still a newcomer, after all, and will surely be given an opportunity to prove that he can compete with Fernández. He needs to remember that Chelsea are about to embark on a campaign in which their stamina will be tested by playing in the Champions League. Similar applies to Essugo, who will hopefully lessen the reliance on Caicedo. The 20-year-old Portuguese has joined from Sporting Lisbon for £18.5m and is hopeful of making his mark. Comparisons with Caicedo are flattering but Essugo wants to be his own man. 'it is good when they compare you with a very big player,' Essugo says. 'But it is a mix of both because I want to try to go my way to reach the top. I am a defensive midfielder but I also like to go forward with the ball – box to box.' Advertisement Essugo was 16 when he was handed his debut at Sporting by the 'demanding' Ruben Amorim. He looked up to João Palhinha, Manuel Ugarte and Morten Hjulmand. Essugo's hero was William Carvalho, who now plays for Real Betis. There was competition for Essugo, who spent last season on loan at Las Palmas. Chelsea got there first. They have been accused of scattergun recruitment but surely this is evidence of planning. In a way they are emulating Brighton by picking up Santos and Essugo early. The price goes up if those talents join mid-table Premier League teams first. Chelsea discovered that when they bought Caicedo from Brighton for £115m. Perhaps they are benefiting from two of their leading recruitment figures, Sam Jewell and Paul Winstanley, previously working at Brighton. There are plenty of pieces to the puzzle. Over to Maresca to make it look good.
The Guardian
10 hours ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Enzo Maresca has midfield puzzle to solve while Chelsea sweat it out in US
Enzo Maresca sometimes gives the impression he would love nothing more than to name an entire team of midfielders. A conundrum facing Chelsea's head coach, though, is that he will struggle to find space in his starting XI for everyone next season. Chelsea are not short of options in the middle. They have the £100m buys, Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo, and the elegant, deep-lying Roméo Lavia. Yet starting them all in a midfield three is not easy if Cole Palmer plays as a No 10. Maresca has had to be creative at times. Chelsea are smoother when Lavia is conducting play. The issue is that squeezing the Belgian into the same side as Palmer and Fernández has often meant moving Caicedo out of the central areas and over to right-back, where the Ecuador international's ball-winning ability is not as pronounced and his lack of defensive nous can be exposed by better teams. This is where Maresca has to prove his worth. The head coach looked for a workaround when Chelsea faced Flamengo in their second game at the Club World Cup last Friday, but the plan backfired in scorching conditions in Philadelphia. Palmer shifted to an inside-right role, Fernández played higher and, with Lavia's fitness still being managed, Maresca tried Reece James next to Caicedo in defensive midfield. He dispensed with his usual ploy of using at least one inverted full-back, instead instructing Marc Cucurella to hold his position on the left and Malo Gusto to perform a similar function on the right. Fair enough, you might say, given the Club World Cup is sort of doubling as pre-season for Chelsea, who will have little time to prepare for the Premier League campaign if they reach the final next month. Still, it would have been better if the plan had worked. There has been no suggestion of Chelsea treating their time in the US as an inconvenience, so it was hardly encouraging to see them play so badly during their 3-1 defeat against Flamengo, which leaves them unable to win Group D and at risk of going out when they face Espérance in Philadelphia on Tuesday night. Supporters were particularly aggrieved about James's role given that he is a superior right-back to Gusto, who has been out of form for a while, and does not have an extensive history of playing in midfield. Thomas Tuchel, the England head coach and former Chelsea manager, is probably on to something when he says that James is more suited to playing on the right. Few full-backs deliver a better cross than the 25-year-old. Meanwhile there is also the question of why Maresca opted for a right-back in the middle when he had four central midfielders – Lavia, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Andrey Santos and Dário Essugo – on the bench. Such competition for places can be interpreted in two ways. The first is that some individuals are bound to get frustrated with their lack of playing time. What if Willian Estêvão craves a central role rather than a spot on the flanks when he joins from Palmeiras? As for the here and now, fans are particularly worried about Santos not playing in either of Chelsea's first two games in the US. The 21-year-old Brazilian had an excellent season on loan at Strasbourg last season, with 10 goals and four assists for the Ligue 1 side, and he has been talked up a lot by key figures at Stamford Bridge. 'Last season was amazing because it was my first season competing in Europe,' Santos said before the Flamengo game. 'I got made second captain and it was so important for me because I was [on loan] at Nottingham Forest, didn't play and then the year at Strasbourg was so important for me.' It is to be hoped that Santos, who has been linked with Bayern Munich, is ready to be patient. Getting no minutes against Flamengo will be a disappointment given that the Brazil international played for their great rivals, Vasco da Gama, but it is important to maintain perspective. Santos is still a newcomer, after all, and will surely be given an opportunity to prove that he can compete with Fernández. He needs to remember that Chelsea are about to embark on a campaign in which their stamina will be tested by playing in the Champions League. Similar applies to Essugo, who will hopefully lessen the reliance on Caicedo. The 20-year-old Portuguese has joined from Sporting Lisbon for £18.5m and is hopeful of making his mark. Comparisons with Caicedo are flattering but Essugo wants to be his own man. 'it is good when they compare you with a very big player,' Essugo says. 'But it is a mix of both because I want to try to go my way to reach the top. I am a defensive midfielder but I also like to go forward with the ball – box to box.' Essugo was 16 when he was handed his debut at Sporting by the 'demanding' Ruben Amorim. He looked up to João Palhinha, Manuel Ugarte and Morten Hjulmand. Essugo's hero was William Carvalho, who now plays for Real Betis. There was competition for Essugo, who spent last season on loan at Las Palmas. Chelsea got there first. They have been accused of scattergun recruitment but surely this is evidence of planning. In a way they are emulating Brighton by picking up Santos and Essugo early. The price goes up if those talents join mid-table Premier League teams first. Chelsea discovered that when they bought Caicedo from Brighton for £115m. Perhaps they are benefiting from two of their leading recruitment figures, Sam Jewell and Paul Winstanley, previously working at Brighton. There are plenty of pieces to the puzzle. Over to Maresca to make it look good.
Nahar Net
2 days ago
- Sport
- Nahar Net
Neto, Fernández each score to lead Chelsea over LAFC 2-0 in Club World Cup
by Naharnet Newsdesk 17 June 2025, 17:09 Pedro Neto scored in the first half and Enzo Fernández in the 79th minute to give Chelsea a 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC in Group D's Club World Cup opener on Monday. Chelsea put pressure on LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris early in the match. Neto scored in the 34th minute, picking up a pass from Nicolas Jackson and cutting onto his left foot for a near-post finish. There were 22,137 fans in attendance at the 71,000-capacity Mercedes-Benz Stadium, many of them backing LAFC. The Black and Gold had positive sparks of energy and possession throughout the first half, but struggled to find any real opportunities in front of goal. LAFC almost got one back just before the 60-minute mark, but Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez came up with a save to keep Denis Bouanga off the scoresheet. The Black and Gold aimed to get some more experience onto the pitch at the half, bringing on former Chelsea man Olivier Giroud. Giroud made a stir as he subbed on when he had to wait on the sidelines for a matchday shirt with his name and number. The mixup led to a delay in the start of the second half. Coming in off the bench, Fernández made no mistake finishing Liam Delap's cross, adding an insurance goal for The Blues. Key moment Chelsea's day was made even more positive by the debut of Delap, a promising 22-year-old English striker signed from Ipswich Town. Takeaways While Chelsea is the favorite to top Group D, LAFC's next two matches become essential to moving on to the knock-out rounds. LAFC vs. Flamengo will prove to be an entertaining game, with the two sides most likely battling it out for the group's second spot. What They Said "It's a high level against a quality team. If you give them a moment, they'll punish you. They had two chances, and they punished us." — Marky Delgado, LAFC midfielder. "We know they've got amazing players and they're a really good team, but we've got to play our football. No matter who we're playing, we play our football really confident. … You've got to pick your moments, and I think we've done that well today." — Levi Colwill, Chelsea defender.
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Flamengo vs Chelsea live time, streaming
Chelsea are looking to secure consecutive wins in their 2025 Club World Cup campaign as they prepare to face Flamengo in their second Group D match. The Blues opened their tournament with a solid 2–0 victory over LAFC, thanks to goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernández in front of a modest crowd in Atlanta. With that win, they've taken a significant step toward the round of 16, though head coach Enzo Maresca is likely to caution his squad against overconfidence. After a strong finish to the 2024–25 season, Chelsea aim to carry that momentum into the Club World Cup. However, their next challenge is a formidable one in the form of Brazilian giants Flamengo. Flamengo, managed by former Chelsea left-back Filipe Luís, come into the clash on the back of a convincing 2–0 win over Espérance de Tunis in their opening fixture. Under the 39-year-old coach's guidance, the 2022 Copa Libertadores champions will be eager to continue their push for a spot in the knockout rounds. Flamengo team news Flamengo are expected to stick with a largely unchanged lineup following their comfortable win in the previous match, meaning former Chelsea midfielder Jorginho is set to make his second appearance for the Brazilian side. The 33-year-old, who joined on a free transfer from Arsenal, made an impact on his debut by providing an assist against Espérance de Tunis. Uruguayan playmaker Giorgian de Arrascaeta is likely to be the key threat to Chelsea's defence, having already opened his goal tally in the tournament. Operating in the number ten role, the 31-year-old will be central to Flamengo's attacking play. Meanwhile, Nicolás de la Cruz, who missed the opening match due to an ankle injury, remains doubtful for the clash with Chelsea. However, former Juventus left-back Alex Sandro is expected to return to the starting lineup. Chelsea team news Similar to his counterpart Luís, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is expected to stick with a largely unchanged starting XI from their opening match. However, Enzo Fernández is likely to come in for Roméo Lavia in midfield, following his impressive goal-scoring display in the first game. Summer signings Liam Delap and Dário Essugo, who made their debuts off the bench against LAFC, may see more action as substitutes in Friday's clash. Meanwhile, Mamadou Sarr, Aarón Anselmino, and Andrey Santos will be eager to make their first appearances for the club in Philadelphia. Flamengo vs Chelsea starting 11 (probable) Flamengo starting 11: Rossi; Varela, Pereira, Ortiz, Sandro; Pulgar, Jorginho; Gerson, De Arrascaeta, Araújo; Pedro. Chelsea starting 11: Bono, Lodi, Koulibaly, Tambakti, Cancelo, N. Al Dawsari, R. Neves, S. Al Dawsari, Milinkovic Savic, Malcolm, Leonardo FIFA Club World Cup: Flamengo vs Chelsea live telecast and streaming details When will the FIFA Club World Cup match between Flamengo and Chelsea be played? The FIFA Club World Cup match between Flamengo and Chelsea will be played on June 20 (according to IST). What time will the FIFA Club World Cup match between Flamengo and Chelsea begin on June 20? The FIFA Club World Cup match between Flamengo and Chelsea will kick off at 11:30 PM IST. What will be the venue for the FIFA Club World Cup match between Flamengo and Chelsea? The FIFA Club World Cup match between Flamengo and Chelsea will take place at Lincoln Financial Field Stadium, USA. Where will the live telecast of the FIFA Club World Cup match between Flamengo and Chelsea be available in India? The live telecast of the FIFA Club World Cup match between Flamengo and Chelsea will not be available on TV in India. Where will the live streaming of the FIFA Club World Cup match between Flamengo and Chelsea be available in India? The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup clash between Flamengo and Chelsea will be streamed for free on DAZN's website and app, both in India and globally.
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Business Standard
6 days ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Highlights: Chelsea beat LAFC; Boca draw Benfica
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup began with a solid statement from Chelsea and a fiery showdown between Boca Juniors and Benfica. Chelsea registered a convincing 2-0 win over MLS champions Los Angeles FC in their Group D opener, showcasing tactical control and clinical finishing. Meanwhile, Boca Juniors and Benfica delivered a heated 2-2 draw that featured a flurry of cards and late drama. While Chelsea's campaign began smoothly, Boca and Benfica shared spoils in a match that could prove pivotal in shaping the group. With passionate crowds, individual brilliance and moments of controversy, the opening games set the tone for an intense tournament ahead. Pedro Neto, Enzo Fernández shine in Chelsea's commanding start Chelsea looked sharp in their opening clash, comfortably dispatching LAFC at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Pedro Neto opened the scoring in the 34th minute after receiving a well-timed pass from Nicolas Jackson and finishing smartly at the near post. The Premier League side dominated much of the game, creating early pressure that kept LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris on his toes. In front of over 22,000 fans, many supporting LAFC, the hosts showed patches of intent but couldn't break through. Their best chance came around the 60-minute mark, but Chelsea's Robert Sánchez denied Denis Bouanga. Enzo Fernández, who came on as a substitute, sealed the win in the 79th minute with a composed finish from a Liam Delap cross. Chelsea defender Levi Colwill reflected that the team stayed confident and chose their moments wisely. LAFC's Marky Delgado admitted their opponents punished every mistake. Red cards, comebacks and chaos in Boca vs Benfica clash At Miami's Hard Rock Stadium, Boca Juniors and Benfica produced an emotionally charged 2-2 draw in front of a crowd dominated by Boca supporters. The Argentine club struck early, with Miguel Merentiel and Rodrigo Battaglia scoring in quick succession to give them a 2-0 lead. Benfica, however, clawed their way back. Ángel Di María converted a penalty just before half-time after a VAR check, and Nicolás Otamendi headed in the equaliser in the 84th minute. The match saw three red cards and over 20 fouls, turning it into a tense, stop-start affair. Boca's Ander Herrera and Nicolás Figal were both sent off, along with Benfica's Andrea Belotti. Alan Velasco said both sides fought for every ball, while Benfica's Samuel Dahl looked ahead to a must-win game against Auckland City.
