مدير عام كرة القدم
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- Caicedo back in contention for CWC final
- Got injured against Fluminense
- Maresca upbeat about Caicedo’s chances
Chelsea cruised past the Brazilian side with a 2-0 victory, thanks to a brace from Joao Pedro, who dazzled in his full debut for the club. However, the match ended on a worrying note for Maresca, with Caicedo hobbling off after a challenge in the dying moments of the game.
Less than five weeks after storming past Inter Milan in the Champions League final, PSG’s latest masterclass against ريال مدريد confirmed their status as Europe’s current elite force. Chelsea’s hopes of countering PSG’s dominant midfield rest heavily on Caicedo’s fitness. The 23-year-old has emerged as a vital cog in Maresca’s setup, offering energy, tackling prowess, and composure in possession and will be crucial to neutralise the marauding trio of Joao Neves, Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz.
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Maresca expressed cautious optimism about Caicedo’s condition and said: “When it happened, I told him there were only two or three minutes left, and we could finish the match with ten players. The priority was to avoid worsening the injury ahead of Sunday. He felt like he could continue, but once he tried, the pain returned. Hopefully, it’s nothing serious, and he can recover in time. We’ll assess it day by day.”
Sunday’s showdown at MetLife Stadium promises to be one of the sternest tests yet for Maresca, who will be aiming to guide Chelsea to global glory. The likes of Enzo Fernandez, Cole Palmer, and Pedro are expected to feature prominently once again, but it is the defensive solidity in midfield that could prove decisive. That’s where Caicedo’s inclusion could tilt the balance, especially against a PSG team that excel in controlling possession and orchestrating attacks with relentless precision.
