Chelsea Starting XI vs Fluminense: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup | OneFootball

Chelsea vs Fluminense: Team News, Predicted XI and Tactical Clues for Club World Cup Semi-Final

As Chelsea prepare for their semi-final clash against Fluminense at the Club World Cup, a mixture of absentees, debutants, and tactical reshuffles offer an intriguing glimpse into how Enzo Maresca may approach the biggest test of his short tenure so far.

This is not just a meeting of continents, but of club cultures. Chelsea, shaped by Premier League intensity, confront a Fluminense side that glides to its own samba rhythm. The setting—MetLife Stadium in New Jersey—feels oddly neutral, but there is nothing indifferent about what’s at stake.

Joao Pedro’s Time Arrives

All eyes will be on Joao Pedro. The Brazilian forward, signed with long-term vision in mind, could make his first start for Chelsea on Tuesday night after a cameo in the quarter-final win over Palmeiras. With Liam Delap suspended and Nicolas Jackson only just returning from a ban, Pedro may find himself leading the line in a match laden with narrative—particularly against his compatriots.

Photo: IMAGO

“Joao is ready. We also have Nico. For sure, we’re going to find a solution,” said Maresca with studied calm, acknowledging the challenge of losing Delap and Levi Colwill to suspension in the same breath.

Shifting Defence and Midfield Choices

Chelsea’s backline will be reimagined yet again. Benoit Badiashile is out following his injury against Benfica, so Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo are expected to pair up in central defence. Reece James, who missed the Palmeiras match after being withdrawn late, should return. But Romeo Lavia, while training, is not yet fit enough for inclusion.

“Romeo is training already,” Maresca explained. “But, unfortunately, he’s not training with us. So he’s not ready for tomorrow.”

Fluminense Reunion for Thiago Silva

A sub-plot to savour: Thiago Silva, now back in Brazil with Fluminense, faces Chelsea once more. Though no longer donning blue, his leadership qualities remain undiminished. Chelsea know his rhythm, but will they manage to disrupt it?

Elsewhere, Estevao Willian and Jamie Gittens—currently away with Palmeiras and Borussia Dortmund respectively—remain ineligible for selection until after the tournament.

Predicted Chelsea Line-up for Club World Cup Semi-Final

(4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Tosin, Cucurella; Santos, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Fernandez; Pedro

Doubt: JamesInjured: Badiashile, LaviaSuspended: Delap, ColwillIneligible: Gittens