Chelsea successfully navigated their Club World Cup semi-final tie against Brazilian side Fluminense, securing a place in Sunday`s grand finale. However, the victory was tinged with concern following an injury sustained by key midfielder Moises Caicedo.
The Ecuadorian international, a consistent presence in Enzo Maresca`s lineup throughout the tournament, went down during the match after twisting his ankle in a challenge for the ball. The incident appeared potentially serious, momentarily halting play and drawing the attention of the medical staff.
Despite the initial discomfort, Caicedo received treatment on the pitch and, somewhat surprisingly, managed to complete the remainder of the game. While finishing the match is often seen as a positive sign, the sight of him with ice applied to his ankle after the final whistle indicated that the issue is far from resolved.
Manager Enzo Maresca was understandably quizzed about Caicedo`s condition and his potential availability for the final. His response offered little concrete reassurance, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding the midfielder`s fitness just days before arguably the biggest match of the season so far.
“I told Caicedo he has to do everything to be on the pitch on Sunday,” Maresca stated, perhaps half-jokingly applying a touch of managerial pressure, or simply highlighting the player`s importance. “We will see.” A definitive answer, it seems, will have to wait.
Chelsea do possess alternative options in the midfield engine room, with players like Andrey Santos and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall having featured from the bench against Fluminense. Nevertheless, losing a player of Caicedo`s caliber and recent form would be a significant blow heading into a final against either Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid – a matchup requiring the strongest possible squad.
While Chelsea`s passage to the final was secured by a commendable performance, featuring two excellent goals from Joao Pedro, the injury scare to Moises Caicedo now casts a shadow over their preparations. All eyes will be on the medical team in the coming days, hoping for a swift recovery that allows the midfielder to participate in Sunday`s crucial showdown.
Ewan Marwood 
Lennox Bray