Key Takeaways
- It wasn't easy, but Chelsea got past Palmeiras in the Club World Cup quarterfinals on Friday thanks to a Malo Gusto winner.
- RG spoke with Cole Palmer, Enzo Maresca, and Reece James as the Blues now prepare for a semifinals clash with Fluminense.
- Can the Premier League giants book a spot in the final of the event?
Cole Palmer #10 of Chelsea FC scores his team's first goal (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA - It wasn’t easy. It wasn’t always pretty or convincing. But in the end, Chelsea just about got over the line and brushed past Palmeiras in the FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinals, setting up an enticing showdown with another Brazilian side – Fluminense – in the semifinals.
All eyes were fixed on Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca to see how he would handle the match, with Chelsea losing to Brazilian heavyweights Flamengo in the same exact venue just two weeks prior. Speaking to RG before the match, Maresca stated, “We try to learn from every game we play, not just vs. Flamengo. The last game vs. Benfica, we did some things good, but we could do some things better.”
“The Flamengo game, as I’ve said many times, has been the only time during this season that we’ve played with a new structure and system, because we’re also thinking about different solutions for the future. But for sure, Flamengo is a very good team in the same way that Palmeiras are a very good team, Fluminense is doing very well. For me, it’s not a surprise, because I really admire Brazilian football and I love players with quality, and Brazil is full of players with quality.”
The Italian coach was forced to field a makeshift starting line-up, with Trevoh Chalobah replacing Benoit Badiashile in central defense. Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, the starting double pivot in the previous fixture, both missed out, with Enzo Fernandez being forced to move into a deeper role alongside Reece James. However, James dropped out of the starting XI at the last minute after picking up a knock during warm-ups, with Andrey Santos getting his first start for the Blues.
Regarded as one of the best right-backs in the world, the Chelsea captain has been besieged with fitness woes, missing a total of 61 matches over the past two seasons due to a variety of injuries, prompting Maresca to shift him into a more inverted role.
“I feel good with regards to my role and fitness, I feel good,” stated James to RG. “I’m playing at a high level, and I just do what [Maresca] asks me to do in this current moment. If he asks me to play in midfield or defense, I give my best regardless. Every manager, you’re going to have to adapt; in the past, I’ve probably been more of a flying fullback that goes forward and is in the final third a lot, and that’s changed a bit this past season. It’s going to be natural when a manager changes the ideas, and the system changes with that.”
A late substitute vs. Benfica, Malo Gusto slotted into right back alongside Chalobah, Marc Cucurella and Levi Colwill, whilst Robert Sanchez played between the sticks. And in attack, Christopher Nkunku was given a rare start alongside Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto and Liam Delap.
As for Palmeiras, three of their four starting defenders (Murilo, Gustavo Gómez and Joaquín Piquerez) were unavailable, with first-choice right back Agustín Giay playing alongside Bruno Fuchs, Micael and Vanderlan. From the team that narrowly edged Botafogo 1-0 in Philly, the sole other change was Facundo Torres replacing Maurício in attack. Richard Ríos and Emiliano Martínez started in the double pivot, whilst Allan, Estêvão, and Vítor Roque led the line alongside Torres.
Strong Start For Chelsea
Chelsea got off to a dominant start in the City of Brotherly Love and produced their real sight at danger after a quarter-hour as Trevoh Chalobah sauntered forward before teeing up Cole Palmer, who deftly turned and took the ball into his stride before chiseling the ball into the back of the net with a masterful left-footed finish. It was yet another vital big-game contribution from Palmer, having recorded two assists in the UEFA Conference League Final vs. Real Betis as well as a goal in the UEFA European Championship Final vs. Spain and the UEFA SuperCup vs. Sevilla.
“I feel like my big-game record is something that’s been with me since I was young…even when we played in finals when I was young, I always seemed to do something in them, and since I’ve come into the first team, I’ve just continued that,” stated Palmer to RG.
However, it’s fair to say that the spotlight wasn’t on Palmer, but his counterpart on Palmeiras: Estêvão Willian. Just 12 days earlier, Chelsea had announced that he would join the club after the Club World Cup, paying €34 million plus €23 million in performance-based incentives for the 18-year-old.
It was only natural that the Brazilian prodigy was going to have a role to play, and in the 53rd minute, he did just that. Estêvão controlled a pass from Richard Ríos, held off Levi Colwill, and caressed his shot off the top post and into the back of the net.
Maresca immediately responded by bringing in João Pedro for his Chelsea debut, replacing fellow new signing Delap, whilst Noni Madueke replaced Nkunku; Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira would respond with two double substitutions of his own. A one-sided first half gave way to an evenly keeled second half, with Cucurella delivering an impressive display at left back, blocking three shots, tallying two interceptions and tackles apiece, and winning three out of six ground duels.
“Depending on the game, Maresca and I plan my role one way or the other,” stated Cucurella to RG. “Against Benfica, he indicated me to play further up the pitch, so in the end, I try to give my best level…in the end, it’s good to have different options so that we can surprise our opponents and pose even more difficulties.”
Chelsea and Palmeiras looked headed for extra time until the 83rd minute when Neto played a short corner to Palmer, who worked it towards Fernández. The Argentine teed up Gusto, who launched a shot that trickled off Giay and into the back of the net. Chelsea would hang onto their lead for the final 10 minutes and seal their status in the semifinals, where they will take on Fluminense in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Tuesday. As for Palmeiras, they will return to action on July 13 with a Brasileirão match at Santos.
