“He’s out” “No chance of playing” – Enzo Maresca officially rules out Chelsea star playing in Club World Cup Round of 16
The Blues will have to beat Benfica in the last 16 of the Club World Cup without one of their key players.
Chelsea progressed to the next stage of the competition after beating Esperance Sportive de Tunis 3-0 in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Goals from Tosin Adarabioyo, Liam Delap and Tyrique George saw the Blues earn all three points in their final group stage game.
Delap has since praised Enzo Fernandez after the midfielder set up his first goal for Chelsea, and both men will now be expected to start the Benfica tie. However, Enzo Maresca has made it clear that one of his players will not feature.
Wesley Fofana won’t feature at Club World Cup
Wesley Fofana was not included in Chelsea’s squad for the Club World Cup, but the Blues do have a chance to add him now because of another registration window ahead of the knockout round.
Maresca, though, has ruled that out, stating that there is “no chance” of the central defender playing right now.
Speaking after Chelsea’s victory over ES Tunis, the Italian said: “Wesley is here because he is trying to be with us and recover with us. There is no chance he can be with us in the squad. At the moment, there is no plan to bring other players.”
With Fofana unavailable, Maresca is likely to go with Levi Colwill and either one of Tosin Adarabioyo or Trevoh Chalobah in central defence.
Adarabioyo managed to make a real impact against ES Tunis, with the 27-year-old opening the scoring for Chelsea at Lincoln Financial Field.
Adarabioyo was in danger of being suspended for the Benfica game, but the former Fulham man will be available for it after avoiding a second yellow card of the tournament.