Enzo Maresca will be looking to protect his Chelsea players despite the importance of their final Club World Cup group stage game against ES Tunis.
The Blues need at least a point in their third match of the competition to book their place in the knockout stages of the competition, after a damning 3-1 defeat to Flamengo.
Chelsea are facing a ‘Heat Health Emergency’ in host city Philadelphia, and it is well-documented how much was asked of the first team squad during their mammoth domestic campaign.
Nicolas Jackson is suspended for the game due to a red card picked up against their Brazilian opponents, meaning there are very few attacking options available to play up front.
Enzo Maresca speaks to the media during Chelsea FC Training Session And Press Conference - FIFA Club World Cup 2025
Photo by Emilee Chinn – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Christopher Nkunku could start for Chelsea vs ES Tunis
Liam Delap is expected to start, however the opportunity has cropped up for Christopher Nkunku to make an impact on proceedings.
When asked in his pre-match press conference, Maresca confirmed he would be making plenty of changes, and there was a chance the Frenchman would play.
He said: “Christo is with us. He’s our player. He’s doing very well in the last four, five days. For sure, tomorrow we are going to do rotation. We’ll see if there is any chance for the ones that are not playing a lot.”
The Chelsea Chronicle are predicting Andrey Santos will make his first competitive start for the Blues against their Tunisian opponents, with plenty of changes expected to the starting side.
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Despite being given a golden opportunity, there is still very little optimism over the future of the forward at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea FC Training Session And Press Conference - FIFA Club World Cup 2025
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Nkunku’s bleak Chelsea future
It has long been claimed that Nkunku is set to leave the club at the end of this season after failing to break into Maresca’s regular starting squad.
The issue would perhaps come in the form of finding a side willing to sign him permanently for a fee that the Blues are happy with.
Manchester United are interested in Nkunku, and this has of course led to speculation that a swap deal could be in the offing.
Chelsea have ongoing interest in Alejandro Garnacho, however that deal could be put on the backburners with the signing of Jamie Gittens seen as imminent.