Chelsea secured a 2-0 win over Brazilian side Fluminense in the semifinals of the FIFA Club World Cup on July 8.
Chelsea’s new signing Joao Pedro scored a brace in the match to take the Blues to the competition’s final, where they will face with Real Madrid or PSG, on July 13.
Even though their match against Fluminense ended in a great victory, the Blues were also on the receiving end of some bad news, and Enzo Maresca now faces a major fitness call.
Moises Caicedo was seen hobbling off the pitch in the closing minutes, with the Ecuadorian star flagging up discomfort in his left ankle which required treatment on the field.
Following a brief conversation with Maresca, Caicedo took his leave from the game while the Blues were left with 10 men for the final seconds of the clash, having already used all of their substitutes.
Speaking after the clash, Maresca provided some clarity about Caicedo’s situation and offered an update on his availability for the final.
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“He felt he could try even though I told him we could play with 10. He tried and felt pain. Hopefully he can be fit for Sunday,” as per OneFootball.
Caicedo’s knock has raised a lot of questions for Chelsea and Maresca, with the final just days away, and the 23-year-old’s ideal potential replacements in the Blues’ squad are also unavailable.
Maresca confirmed Dario Essugo will be sidelined for the rest of the competition, while Romeo Lavia has missed their last two matches due to muscle strain.
If Caicedo is ruled out of the showpiece, Maresca will need to reshuffle, and Reece James could be drafted into midfield as a cover option.
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