Chelsea keeping ‘almost impossible' training very short in hot weather
Training was restricted for the Blues the day before the match at Subaru Park which will determine whether they progress to the last 16 of the Club World Cup, with the length of the session cut short and work restricted to a shaded area of the pitch.
Maresca's team need to avoid defeat against the Tunisian side or face the embarrassing prospect of falling at the first hurdle of FIFA's revamped tournament.
MD3 of the @FIFACWC 🆚 ES Tunis. 👊 pic.twitter.com/ZeRz0Sha6M
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 23, 2025
And with conditions heavily impacting preparations the build-up to their final Group D fixture has been far from ideal.
'It is almost impossible to train or to make a session because of the weather,' said Maresca. 'Now we are trying just to save energy for the game.
'This morning's session has been very, very, very short. It's not easy in these conditions with these temperatures. We are going to try to do our best.'
Maresca has said he will rotate his squad for the game with captain Reece James, who has been suffering with illness, one of the players likely to sit out, whilst defender Levi Colwill has also been unwell.
Nicolas Jackson will serve a one-match ban after his red card for a studs-up tackle during the 3-1 defeat to Brazilian side Flamengo.
Asked about the tournament towards the end of the Premier League season, the Italian said that players would not play if they were feeling fatigued in the US.
Raising the intensity. 📈 pic.twitter.com/BdGENLXmRA
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 24, 2025
Chelsea are on three points after their first two matches, following up a 2-0 victory over Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC with the defeat by Flamengo.
'I always try to avoid excuses,' said Maresca. 'I always try to be honest. It's not about excuses, it's about reality.
'It's an excuse when it's not hot and we say that it's hot. That is an excuse. But if hot, it's hot. It's difficult to work with these temperatures but we are here and we trying to do our best and we will try to win.
'Now in terms of the session, it's impossible to do a normal session, otherwise you don't save energy for the game.
'We did the session this morning, it was quite short, we prepared for the game and we will try to do our best to go to the next stage.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
30 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Barcelona ready to grant Marcus Rashford dream transfer from Man Utd as strict conditions are set out
Spanish giants could find way to land England striker AND Spain hero Nico MARC'S AND SPARKS Barcelona ready to grant Marcus Rashford dream transfer from Man Utd as strict conditions are set out BARCELONA are interested in a loan move for out of favour Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford. The England ace opened the door for a switch to the Nou Camp at the weekend by saying he'd love to play with teen sensation Lamine Yamal. Advertisement 5 Man Utd outcast Marcus Rashford might get the move he most craves Credit: Getty 5 Rashford fancies playing alongside Barcelona's Lamine Yamal Credit: Alamy And the Spanish giants are interested in making it happen - although they are unlikely to offer a permanent switch. They are looking to sign Nico Williams from rivals Athletic Bilbao and that will use up a huge chunk of their summer budget if they meet his £53 million release zone. But coach Hansi Flick is also an admirer of Rashford and Barca will explore if a loan move with a view to a permanent deal is possible. His versatility to play on the wings or down the middle as back up to Robert Lewandowski makes him an interesting option. Advertisement READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS ROON LANDING Wayne Rooney lands new job working alongside fellow Premier League icon United would prefer to sell him now but are also keen to get his £370,000 per week wages off the books. The 27-year-old, plus Jadon Sancho and Antony, are viewed as the priority sales as United look to balance the books this summer. SunSport exclusively revealed last week Newcastle are keen on Rashford. The Magpies hope to keep star attacker Alexander Isak amid interest from Arsenal and especially Liverpool. Advertisement BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 5 The attacker's stats for last season improved greatly with his Villa loan And Toon chief Eddie Howe fancies Rashford as an extra option for Newcastle's Champions League venture. Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce have bid £15million for Sancho. Advertisement 5 Rashford thrived for Aston Villa in the second half of last term Credit: Getty Gyokeres trying to force Arsenal move | Newcastle eye Rashford deal | Transfers Exposed It follows Chelsea having to pay a £5million penalty for declining to turn the 23-cap Englishman's loan into a permanent move. The future of fellow 25-year-old wideman Antony is equally unclear. The Brazilian shone on loan at Real Betis in the second half of last season. Advertisement There's been talk of interest from another LaLiga club - but nothing firm so far.
The Independent
32 minutes ago
- The Independent
Chelsea struggles to train in scorching temperatures during Club World Cup
Chelsea 's preparations for their Club World Cup match against Esperance de Tunis were severely impacted by extreme heat in Philadelphia. Head coach Enzo Maresca stated it was "almost impossible" to conduct a normal training session due to temperatures reaching 37 degrees. Training sessions were significantly shortened and restricted to shaded areas to conserve player energy for the crucial game. Chelsea must avoid defeat against the Tunisian side to advance to the last 16 of the revamped FIFA Club World Cup. Maresca plans to rotate his squad, with key players like Reece James and Levi Colwill suffering from illness, and Nicolas Jackson serving a ban.
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
Ange Postecoglou's stirring Europa League final speech
The former Tottenham manager, who was sacked just nine days after leading Spurs to their first European trophy in 41 years, left a lasting impression on the club. Despite Tottenham's disappointing Premier League season, finishing 17th, Postecoglou delivered on his promise to win something in his second season at a club. Many fans were saddened by his departure, believing he deserved another chance due to his European success. Read more: The 59-year-old Australian has a history of leaving legacies at his former clubs, including Celtic. His ability to motivate and inspire his players is well-known, and his pre-match speeches have become legendary. His Europa League final address to his team is no exception. The speech, delivered in the dressing room of San Mames Stadium, has now been shared on social media. Postecoglou said: "Okay, from the day I arrived it was about family. "We're not in this position just because of our football. "We're in this position because all of you, us the staff, stuck together like family through tough times, and we're going to need that today. "Remember why we do this. "It's not about just about winning things. "It's about paying back. "Giving to people who love us and make sacrifices for us." He continued: "So you walk out today, not just 11 brothers. "Walk out today with all of us with you, with all those people with you. "The thousands in the stadium with you, hundreds of thousands back home with you. "We're the biggest army. "They can't stop us... they can't stop us. "What we have can't be stopped. "Just go out there, play our football, be like a family. "At the end of the game, when he's lifting that trophy, you're going to make all those people prouder than they have ever been in their life." The speech encapsulates the spirit and camaraderie that Postecoglou instilled in his team.
