No gift from Enzo Maresca. Christopher Nkunku is not aligned from the start with Chelsea for the final of the Club World Cup against PSG, his training club, this Sunday at the Metlife Stadium, in the suburbs of New York (kick-off 3 p.m. in the United States, 9 p.m. in France on Dazn and TF1).
The French international scored during the 8th finals against Benfica (4-1) and then was established against Palmeiras (2-1) and Fluminense (2-0). His Italian coach could have renewed him in the face of red and blue, but this is not the case. The 27 -year -old attacking midfielder did not convince against the two Brazilian opponents (even if he only left the 84th minute against the FLU).
The Blues coach has solidified his midfield by aligning Reece James alongside Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez (who will be able to evolve a little higher in the offensive phase). The Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto feu-follets will evolve on the wings and Joao Pedro, after its shattering beginnings with Chelsea (a beautiful double Tuesday), is very present.
Another Frenchman with Nkunku on the bench
In defense, we find Trevoh Chalobah and Levi Colwill (suspended during the half) for a central hinge which seems very weak – especially in reading the game – in order to contain Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (not to mention a Fabian Ruiz very often well placed in front of the opposing goal). Malo Gusto begins on the right side of the defense.
On the sidelines, we find another French player than Nkunku with defender Mamadou Sarr, as well as the former Strasbourgian Andrey Santos, Liam Delap (who was holder at the center-center position at the start of this club world) or Nicolas Jackson, who completely tumbled into the hierarchy in the offensive sector. Benoît Badiashile and Wesley Fofana are unavailable.
The eleven of Chelsea: Sanchez – Gusto, Colwill, Chalobah, Cucurella – James, Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez – Palmer, Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto.
The eleven of PSG: Donnarumma – Hakimi, Marquinhos, Beraldo, Nuno Mendes – João Neves, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz – Doué, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia.
