Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia has emerged as a doubt for their Club World Cup quarter-final tie against Palmeiras.
However, the Blues could hand a debut to Joao Pedro.
Pedro completed his £60m transfer from Brighton earlier in the week, and has been added to the Blues’ squad having been signed before the new registration deadline.
The Brazilian trained with his new teammates on Wednesday but is likely to have to settle for a place on the bench as fellow summer signing Liam Delap is expected to lead the line once again.
This is despite Nicolas Jackson being available for selection after serving a two-match ban for his red card in the group stage loss to Flamengo - Chelsea’s only loss in the tournament so far.
Cole Palmer is expected to offer support to Delap from out wide, although Pedro Neto may miss the showdown as he is under no pressure to play following the death of his friend Diogo Jota.
However, there is a decision to make regarding Enzo Fernandez’s role against the Brazilians.
As Moises Caicedo is absent due to suspension after he picking up his second yellow card of the tournament in the extra-time win over Benfica, the Argentine could drop deeper especially as Lavia is a doubt.
“We will try tomorrow. He had a small problem at the end of the last game against Benfica,” Maresca told reporters.
“It’s just a muscle problem and tomorrow we will see if he’s fit. Otherwise we will find different solutions because Moi is also suspended. So we will need to find different solutions.”
Alternatively, Maresca could keep Fernandez high up and turn to captain Reece James in central midfield like he has done previously.
In defence, Benoit Badiashile limped off against Benfica and was later spotted on crutches, making him a major doubt for the quarter-final showdown with Trevoh Chalobah on standby to partner Levi Colwill.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; James, Lavia; Madueke, Fernandez, Palmer; Delap
Doubts: Badiashile, Lavia
Suspended: Caicedo
Time and date: 2am BST on Saturday July 4, 2025
How to watch: DAZN
Venue: Lincoln Financial Field
