Chelsea supporters were left surprised, as well as angered, by Enzo Maresca’s starting lineup for the Round 16 match against Benfica in the Club World Cup. Surprisingly, he omitted Tosin Adarabioyo, who scored and played well in the defense against ES Tunis in their final group stage game. In Tosin’s place, Benoit Badiashile is set to start.
Maresca has opted to play a 4-2-3-1 classic system with Delap the target man leading the line, aided by Pedro Neto and Cole Palmer on the flanks. Enzo Fernandez is the playmaker with Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia in the middle of the park. Marc Cucurella, Levi Colwill, Benoit Badiashile, and skipper Reece James comprise the back four in front of Robert Sanchez in goal.
Chelsea fans on social media are not pleased with this lineup, with posts that vary from shock to outright anger. One fan wept:
“If only we have a coach, NOTHING stops us from winning this competition. This guy is confused, and until he’s sacked, I will value my mental health.”
If only we have a coach, NOTHING stops us from winning this competition.
This guy is confused, and until he's sacked, I will value my mental health.
— James Olusanya Babatunde (@slimsesan) June 28, 2025
Another complained:
“Someone, please tell me, what’s always wrong with Maresca, cos he still fumbles with the defence in every game.”
someone please tell me ,what's always wrong with Maresca cos he still fumbles with the defence in every game .
— ugenyaboy (@ugenyaboy) June 28, 2025
A third was befuddled:
“Important game you play Badiashile, not just play him out of position. What is this man smoking? Why is that every game we must see one play out of position when we have a lot of players on the bench?”
Another was angry:
“Why can’t you use Tosin?? What’s Badashile doing here? Is Enzo Maresca mad??”
This fan asked:
“What’s Badieshille doing there?”
Another added:
“Why not use Tosin? Maresca do the proper thing for once.”
Why Isn’t Tosin Starting for Chelsea Against Benfica?
Despite the outrage, Enzo Maresca may have a good reason behind his decisions. Tosin seemed to end the match against ES Tunis with a slight fitness issue, and the towering centre-back has not been given the go-ahead to play another 90 minutes so soon after.
With the potential quarter-final against Palmeiras or Botafogo looming large on the horizon, everything now hinges on whether Maresca’s gamble in Badiashile will pay off. If it doesn’t, it may allow for calls for change from the already unhappy Chelsea supporters.