Chelsea players went through all the emotions as they booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup.
The Blues set up a showdown with future star Estevao Willian’s Palmeiras in the next round, however their 4-1 win over Benfica in the Round of 16 did not come without controversy.
Reece James had given them the lead, and they looked set to hold out for a narrow win, before the players were forced off due to thunder and lightning in the area.
A two-hour delay which left Cole Palmer bemused in the changing rooms, the Blues conceded and were forced to extra time when they returned.
Cole Palmer and Reece James named in Club World Cup Team of the Week
A dominant 30 minutes saw them run out winners in the end, with Enzo Maresca relying on fringe players Christopher Nkunku and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
The manager was able to recall his best players to the starting side after resting a number of them for the group stage clash against ES Tunis. The Blues were aware of a ‘Heat Health Emergency’ in the area for that game.
The impact those individuals had was clear to see, and James and Palmer were recognised with a place in DAZN’s Team of the Week for the Club World Cup.
The pair were joined with former Blues stars Thiago Silva and Kalidou Koulibaly. Silva was crucial in his side beating Inter Milan, in turn opening the draw up for Chelsea.
Maresca’s Cole Palmer experiment pays off
After a number of games now where Palmer has not been at his best, Maresca made a decision to start the England international on the left of attack.
John Obi Mikel was scathing of Maresca’s decision to move him out of a central attacking role, however it has clearly paid off and now gives the manager a new avenue to explore.
Maresca will have Joao Pedro available to him for the quarter-final tie, with him playing a similar role to Palmer in terms of featuring both wide and in the middle.
It remains to be seen if he features, and if he has any impact on where the former Manchester City man features for Chelsea.
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
