Chelsea have had to deal with all sorts of complications on their road to the Club World Cup quarter-finals so far.
The Blues were forced to leave the pitch for two hours when they were 1-0 up in their Round of 16 tie against Benfica at the weekend, with them being forced to play extra time upon their return.
Enzo Maresca’s side were able to secure a 4-1 win, although the protocol used to halt the game with just four minutes to go was highly scrutinised.
Cole Palmer was left bemused as he waited in the changing rooms, however it was not the first time they had fallen foul of the elements in the United States.
Enzo Maresca speaks to the media after Benfica SL v Chelsea FC: Round Of 16 - FIFA Club World Cup 2025
Photo by Justin Setterfield – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Chelsea told their Club World Cup game vs ES Tunis ‘should have been postponed’
Chelsea’s third group stage fixture against ES Tunis was played despite a ‘Heat Health Emergency‘ in the Philadelphia area.
The Blues had to get a result to confirm their place in the Round of 16, and goals from Tosin Adarabioyo, Liam Delap and Tyrique George gave them a 3-0 win.
As the players pushed themselves to the limits to get the job done, they will have really felt the full effects of 90 minutes in the blazing heat when the game came to an end.
Fifpro, the organisation who look after professional players, have now told BBC Sport that the game should not have taken place in those conditions.
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A spokesperson said the game “should have been postponed to a better place in the day and, if not available (another slot), then rescheduled”.
Chelsea players celebrate Tosin Adarabioyo's goal during Club World Cup match vs ES Tunis
Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images
Enzo Maresca took no risks vs ES Tunis
Despite the game being integral to Chelsea’s progression in the Club World Cup, the manager could not justify playing his strongest team after the colossal domestic season they have undergone.
It is actually against Club World Cup rules to not play the best possible side, however the Blues will argue that the conditions did not make that a possibility.
The likes of Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer and Marc Cucurella did not take to the field, while there was a debut for Andrey Santos off the bench.
After nearly a week off, it is expected the Blues will be at full strength for their quarter-final tie against Palmeiras, and could hand new signing Joao Pedro his first appearance.