Chelsea Faces Club World Cup Test with Rotated Squad
It’s not the lineup most Chelsea fans expected, but manager Enzo Maresca isn’t taking any chances as his side prepares for their final Club World Cup group match against ES Tunis. After a heavy run of fixtures and a few cases of illness in the camp, Maresca confirmed that regular starters Reece James and Levi Colwill will both sit this one out. The news broke just a day before kickoff, leaving supporters curious about how the team will shape up in Tunisia.
James, Chelsea’s influential captain, hasn’t trained since falling ill, and Colwill only recently started to feel better after a rough few days. Maresca didn’t sugarcoat the reason behind the squad shake-up. He said straight up: “We will do some rotation because the ones who played two games are quite tired to play again.” For him, it’s all about keeping players fresh as the tournament ramps up.
Maresca Bets on Squad Depth With Knockouts in Sight
With a spot in the last-16 just a point away, Chelsea has the luxury of rotation—something that might have been unthinkable with fewer points. After one win and one loss in the group, a simple draw would do the trick against the Tunisian hosts. That safety net gives Maresca the opening to mix things up, giving game time to squad members who usually watch from the sidelines.
“It’s a chance for them to show what they can do,” Maresca explained, hinting at opportunities for players itching for minutes. This approach isn’t just about resting big names; it’s also about uncovering hidden gems that could step up when the going gets tough deeper in the tournament.
Fatigue is a real issue after a congested schedule, and Maresca isn’t blind to it. The Club World Cup is a marathon, not a sprint. Big clubs like Chelsea have learned the hard way that burning out star players early can spell trouble when it matters most. By mixing up the squad now—especially against a team like ES Tunis, who Chelsea just need to avoid losing to—he’s narrowing the risk of injuries and burnout for later rounds.
Kickoff is at 2pm UK time on Wednesday, so Chelsea fans will have to tune in early to see which fringe players get their shot. The pressure is still on, but the stakes are clear: keep the unbeaten record against Tunis, move into the knockouts, and hope the squad’s freshness pays off in bigger games to come.
- Chelsea rotates squad for Club World Cup group match
- Reece James and Levi Colwill sidelined due to illness
- Maresca prioritizes squad health ahead of knockouts
- Fringe players expected to feature against ES Tunis