- Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has issued an injury update on a key player
- The player in question was unable to finish the match after looking in discomfort
- Watch PSG vs Real Madrid and the Club World Cup FINAL free on DAZN
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has issued an injury update over one of his players being doubtful for the Club World Cup final on Sunday.
Maresca spoke to the media after the Blues advanced to the final on Tuesday night courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Brazilian side Fluminense.
The Blues progressed thanks to strikes either side of half-time from their new £60million signing Joao Pedro, who joined earlier this week from Brighton.
While the Brazilian forward’s performance will have been enjoyed by Maresca, the Italian is sweating over the fitness of one of his key stars.
The player in question was unable to finish the match after looking in discomfort following an attempted tackle.
The incident occurred in the 93rd minute with the game virtually over as a contest as Chelsea were two goals up.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has issued an injury update over one of his players
The player in question was unable to finish the match after looking in discomfort
Moises Caicedo was seen hobbling off the field as Chelsea were made to finish the encounter at MetLife Stadium with 10 men.
Speaking after the match, Maresca said: ‘Dario [Essugo] had a muscle problem yesterday during the session. He will probably be ready for next season.
‘Moises twisted his ankle. He felt he could try even though I told him we could play with 10 players. He felt pain. So hopefully he can be fit for Sunday.’
Chelsea will come up against PSG or Real Madrid, who face one another on Wednesday for their own chance at a spot in the final.
Whichever side the west Londoners face, it appears that FIFA will have a hard time shifting the full allocation of tickets if previous attendances in the tournament are anything to go by.
Prices for standard admission to Chelsea’s match against Fluminense were slashed to just $13.40 (£10.50) on Saturday, a fraction of the $473.90 (£373) that fans were being asked to pay less than three days earlier.
The price cuts, which were first reported by The Athletic, mean supporters could pay less for a ticket than for a pint of beer at MetLife, where a cold one can set you back $14 (£11).
The dramatic price drop came as FIFA has battles to avoid swathes of empty seats at the Club World Cup.
The tournament, being held for the first time in its new 32-team format, has seen fluctuating crowds, with some group games witnessing tens of thousands of empty seats despite heavy promotion.
