Flamengo v Chelsea: Line-ups, stats and preview

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Jun 19, 2025 - 13:45

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Chelsea head into their Club World Cup clash against Flamengo buoyed by the fact they finally have two out-and-out strikers to call upon.

Nicolas Jackson was their sole option last season but a combination of injuries and suspension limited the impact the Senegalese forward made at Stamford Bridge. His regular absence meant boss Enzo Maresca had to utilise various options – including Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Cole Palmer as false nines – to try to plug the gap.

Chelsea bolstered their squad earlier this month by signing Liam Delap from Ipswich and the PFA Young Player of the Year nominee made a positive impression on his debut in the 2-0 win over LAFC on Monday evening.

Jackson and Delap ended with an assist each against the Californians, Jackson’s clever turn and pass picking out Neto for the opener while Delap came off the bench to supply the cross for Enzo Fernandez to seal the three points.

“Both are very good number nines and hopefully both can score goals and get assists,” Maresca said. “I prefer to have four or five players who score 10 or 12 goals each rather one striker who scores 40 goals. Enzo scored again too, which is good.

“Last year we tried to use different threats, different weapons; we also had two or three months where we were without Nico and Marc [Guiu].

“We tried to find different solutions but for sure, when you have two strikers like Nico and Liam, it’s a nice feeling as a head coach.

“You know you can choose one of them and it’s going to be a good choice.”

Our focus turns to Chelsea 🧠 pic.twitter.com/pBGThFy7rP
— Flamengo (@Flamengo_en) June 19, 2025

It was not always smooth sailing for Chelsea against LAFC with the MLS side still in the game until Fernandez’s goal 11 minutes from full time.

And Flamengo ought to present a much sterner test.

They are managed by former Chelsea full-back Filipe Luis, who prefers a high press, high energy game. The Brazilians beat Esperance 2-0 in their first outing thanks to goals from Luiz Araujo and Giorgian de Arrascaeta.

Jorginho made his debut for Flamengo against the Tunisian side and he is expected to start against his former club in Philadelphia.

Asked for his opinion on the game, the experienced midfielder believes it could come down to the finer details. He said: “I believe that the game is always kind of like that [ups and downs], especially the big ones, with two teams that like to control the opponent.

“We have to be prepared to run, to suffer, because it will happen, and be prepared for when we have control, because this will also happen. It can be a great game for those who will watch. In these great games the details make the difference. We have to enjoy it in the best possible way when we have the opportunities.”

Team News for Flamengo v Chelsea

Delap may come in for Jackson to give Maresca the chance to assess both. Trevoh Chalobah could also be in line to replace Tosin Adarabioyo.

De La Cruz and Alex Sandro are back in full training and could start. Both Araujo and De Arrascaeta missed training on Wednesday but are expected to be fit.