The Brazilian sides didn’t come to the new-look FIFA Club World Cup just to make up the numbers. Fluminense knocked Champions League finalists Inter Milan out in the round of 16, Palmeiras will believe they can do the same thing to Chelsea in the quarters.
By Alex Roberts
Both sides had to endure extra-time to get to this stage, although Chelsea’s game was A LOT longer due to the unpredictable weather over in the USA. We’re well and truly in the business end, let’s just hope there isn’t any lightning within 10 miles of the Lincoln Financial Field.
The Estêvão derby
It’s kind of the elephant in the room. There is a lot of hype amongst the Chelsea faithful regarding the young Brazilian finally making his move to Stamford Bridge once this tournament is done and dusted.
Estêvão is yet to score or assist in his four previous games, although he had his moments against Al Ahly and Inter Miami. Perhaps it’s the anxiety he has surrounding the big move to one of Europe’s elite sides.
Ending that drought in this game will certainly bring forth some mixed emotions for the few Blues fans that will be there. So long as he’s able to recreate the form he’s had since bursting onto the scene, we’re sure they’ll get over it.
In no mood for jokes
Enzo Maresca was not a happy bunny after the game with Benfica, slamming the four hour and 38-minute escapade as a ‘joke’. In fairness to FIFA, they can’t control the weather, but it does raise the question whether the country is suitable for major ‘soccer’ tournaments like this one.
Chelsea posted pictures of the players on exercise bikes in the dressing rooms as they tried desperately to keep their muscles warm enough, it was dystopian in a weird way, a bleak view of the future.
In the immediate future, the biggest concern is injury. It feels like only a matter of time before someone hobbles off the pitch with a muscle spasm or worse, especially if any future delays are of a similar length.
A big move beckons
Richard Ríos was really, really good in the 1-0 win over Botafogo, ending the game with an 83% pass accuracy rate, nine passes into the final third and the assist for Paulinho’s 100th minute winner.
It was his best performance in the tournament so far, although he has been solid throughout. As a result, Man United, Nottingham Forest, and AC Milan have all been linked with a move for the central midfielder.
Say what you will about the Club World Cup, it’s put eyes on players that may not have been looked out without it. Palmeiras are a huge club, arguably the biggest in Brazil but if Ríos keeps this up, a new challenge may be on the horizon.
Pedro Neto isn’t tired
After a mentally, emotionally, and physically draining season, few would have blamed the Chelsea players for taking it at least a little easy, and some of them have certainly, conserved energy but Pedro Neto has been full throttle.
Three goals in his three games makes him joint second top goal scorer in the competition, it’s also one fewer that he managed to bag in his 35 Premier League appearances. It’s by far his best run of form since he joined the club last summer.
With Chelsea (likely) adding Jamie Gittens to new arrivals João Pedro and Estêvão, Neto is starting to really insert himself into the conversation for one of the few positions available to him.
Prediction
Palmeiras are hard to break down under Abel Ferreira, but Chelsea have created the second highest number of big chances (17) in the tournament. We’re gonna go with a tense 1-0 win for the Premier League side.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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