Chelsea XI vs LAFC: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for Club World Cup | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca facing some big selection calls for opening game in Atlanta

Chelsea take on LAFC at the Club World Cup

Your matchday briefing on Chelsea, featuring team news and expert analysis from Malik Ouzia

Sign up

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

New signings Liam Delap, Mamadou Sarr, Dario Essugo, and Mike Penders were all involved in the session.

Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Andrey Santos and Aaron Anselmino also trained after joining up with the squad following international duty in South America.

Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Enzo Maresca has already made some tough decisions for his squad ahead the tournament, leaving out all players who spent time out of loan during the season, apart from Andrey Santos, despite opting against taking the maximum 35 players allowed.

There will also be a chance for debuts for new signings Delap, Essugo, Sarr and young goalkeeper Penders, but Maresca should go fairly strong for this opening game.

Robert Sanchez remains the first-choice goalkeeper despite a concerted effort to sign Mike Maignan, and should get the nod behind a strong back line.

Caicedo and Fernandez will surely start the opener, with the first-choice front four of Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson looking to get Chelsea off to a strong start.

Chelsea will be wary not to underestimate a LAFC team boasting the likes of familiar face Oliver Giroud.

The Blues then face Flamengo on Friday before an easier-looking test against ES Tunis on June 25.

Chelsea predicted XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Badiashile, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Madueke; Jackson

Time and date: 8pm BST on Monday, June 16 2025

Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia

TV channel and free live stream: Channel 5 (UK) and DAZN (worldwide)