Latest news with #AndreySantos
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Enzo Maresca issues two-man Chelsea injury update with double blow confirmed for Club World Cup semi-final
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca says he did not want to take any risks with Reece James after being forced into a late change before the Club World Cup quarter-final win over Palmeiras. James was set to start at the Lincoln Financial Field, but withdrew from the team shortly before kick-off. Advertisement With Moises Caicedo suspended and Romeo Lavia injured, the Chelsea captain had initially been earmarked to partner Enzo Fernandez in midfield. However, his absence meant Andrey Santos was handed his first start for the Blues. Speaking after the game, the Chelsea boss delivered an update on James and Lavia ahead of next week's semi-final showdown against Fluminense. Maresca said: 'Romeo [Lavia], unfortunately, he had a small muscle problem. 'And Reece, he felt something during the warm-up. We think that it's tightness, so we prefer not to take any risk for him. And we decided to start with Andrey [Santos]. Advertisement 'I think now we are one year together. We know each other much, much better compared to one year ago. 'And with different structure, different way to play, I think the players, they are getting better and better.' Reece James was due to start against Palmeiras (AFP via Getty Images) It remains to be seen if James or Lavia will be fit to face the Brazilian side on Tuesday, but the Blues have been handed a further blow with Liam Delap and Levi Colwill ruled out through suspension. The pair were walking the disciplinary tight-rope ahead of the game and their punishment for being booked in the 45th and 86th minute respectively is a one-game ban. Though, the good news for Chelsea is Caicedo is in line for an immediate recall after serving his suspension against Palmeiras.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Reece James shares important fitness update on social media ahead of Fluminense clash
Reece James has taken to Instagram to provide an update on his fitness after pulling out of the win against Palmeiras on Friday night. James was named in the starting line-up for the Club World Cup quarter final, but was replaced by Andrey Santos after feeling something in the warm-up. Advertisement Chelsea were able to cope without James as they won 2-1 thanks to Cole Palmer and a deflected Malo Gusto strike, and will now face Fluminense in the semi final. Reece James provides fitness update It's always a worry for Chelsea fans when there's an even a hint of an issue for James given his well documented injury problems. Maresca offered an update on James after the Palmeiras game, and the England international has now confirmed he's fit. James has confirmed he's fit for the Fluminense game. (Photo: Instagram: @reece) James took to Instagram and posted a picture of himself in the Sauna with the caption 'I'm fit and well, see you Tuesday.' Advertisement Last season the 25-year-old once again had injury issues, but since returning from his latest setback in January the England international has managed to remain fit. Maresca has managed James very carefully and has even deployed him in midfield at times as it's less taxing on his body. More Stories / Latest News Reece James shares important fitness update on social media ahead of Fluminense clash 6th Jul 2025, 11:30am 'Ready to attack' – Fabrizio Romano names Premier League star Chelsea are ready to sign 6th Jul 2025, 11:00am 'Set to send opening bid' – Romano provides major update as Chelsea transfer saga heats up Advertisement 6th Jul 2025, 10:30am James has appeared in three of Chelsea's five Club World Cup games, whilst he also managed 19 appearances in the Premier League last season, his most for a number of years. Maresca faces Fluminense selection headache It's a huge boost that James will be available, but Maresca has got a few selection issues ahead of Tuesday's semi final. Moises Caicedo returns from suspension, but having been booked in the quarter final both Liam Delap and Levi Colwill are banned. Romeo Lavia remains a doubt having missed the Palmeiras game, but it's likely Tosin Adarabioyo will come in to partner Trevoh Chalobah, whilst Joao Pedro could be in line for his first start.
Kuwait Times
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Kuwait Times
Chelsea edge Palmeiras, book Club WCup semis
PHILADELPHIA: Chelsea's Brazilian midfielder #17 Andrey Santos and Palmeiras' Uruguayan midfielder #32 Emiliano Martinez fight for the ball during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 quarterfinal football match between Brazil's Palmeiras and England's Chelsea on July 4, 2025. - AFP PHILADELPHIA: A late own-goal by goalkeeper Weverton took Chelsea through to the Club World Cup semi-finals on Friday as the Premier League side edged Palmeiras of Brazil 2-1 in a last-eight tie that had been lit up by a moment of magic from young star Estevao Willian. The teenage Brazil forward, who will join Chelsea after the tournament, was eager to impress his future employers and his brilliant 53rd-minute finish cancelled out Cole Palmer's opener in Philadelphia. But a deflected Malo Gusto cross went in off Palmeiras 'keeper Weverton in the 83rd minute to take Chelsea through to a semi-final showdown with another Brazilian side in Fluminense. 'In the first half we were in control of the game and could have scored more than one goal,' said Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca, dismissing suggestions his team had been fortunate. 'They started the second half better than us and the dynamic of the game changed, but then in the last 25 minutes we were in control again and I think we deserved to win without being lucky.' The scoreline was a repeat of Chelsea's victory when the teams met in the final of the Club World Cup under the tournament's old guise in 2022. 'Overall Chelsea was better. They have better players and a better coach,' admitted Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira. 'They were lucky with the way they scored the second goal but it can happen in football and we need to accept it and move on.' Chelsea will now be fancied to go on and reach the final, with Fluminense standing in their way in the last four at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Tuesday. If not everyone has yet been won over by the tournament, the intensity levels on the pitch are rising as it reaches the business end and there was a big-game atmosphere in Philadelphia. Lincoln Financial Field was almost sold out, with 65,782 fans in attendance despite much of the city having emptied out for the July 4 holiday and long weekend. This game played out to a backdrop of Independence Day fireworks lighting up the sky over the nearby Delaware River, but there were fireworks on the pitch too. Chelsea lit the spark first, going ahead in the 16th minute thanks to a moment of class from England international Palmer. After drifting into a pocket of space just outside the Palmeiras box, Palmer controlled a Trevoh Chalobah pass on the half-turn, carried on into the area and dispatched a low shot past Weverton. It was the ideal start for Chelsea, who lost to Flamengo when they last faced Brazilian opposition in the same stadium during the group stage. Maresca added extra Brazilian flavor to the occasion by handing a first start to young midfielder Andrey Santos. With Moises Caicedo suspended, Santos occupied the holding midfield role for Chelsea while Pedro Neto lined up on the right wing, choosing to play despite having to come to terms with the tragic death of his Portugal teammate Diogo Jota on Thursday. — AFP
Reuters
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Late own goal sends Chelsea past Palmeiras into semi-finals
PHILADELPHIA, July 4 (Reuters) - An 83rd-minute Weverton own goal from a deflected Malo Gusto cross gave Chelsea a nervy 2-1 win over a spirited Palmeiras side in the Club World Cup quarter-finals at Lincoln Financial Field on Friday. Cole Palmer also got on the scoresheet in the first half for Chelsea, who move on to face more Brazilian opposition in Fluminense in New York on Tuesday with a place in the final on the line. Palmeiras roared back after halftime with teenage winger Estevao, who is soon to join Chelsea, equalising in the 53rd minute with a stunning strike from a tight angle. "Tough game as we expected," said Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca. "First half, I think we were a little bit better compared to the second half, we controlled the game much better. "But then they scored and the game changed but at the end we scored and I think we deserved to win. Congratulations to the players, because they have been very good." Chelsea started the match well despite missing key defensive midfield duo Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, with 21-year-old Andrey Santos making his first start some two and a half years after joining the club. They controlled possession and repeatedly threatened through Pedro Neto, who caused chaos for Palmeiras defence down the right flank. Palmer struck in the 16th minute, receiving a pass from Trevoh Chalobah on the edge of the box and gliding past three defenders with ease before dispatching a precise left-footed strike into the bottom corner. Despite their dominance, Chelsea squandered several opportunities, including Christopher Nkunku's glaring miss in the 34th minute when he blasted over with only goalkeeper Weverton to beat. Palmeiras, missing key defenders Joaquin Piquerez, Gustavo Gomez and Murilo, struggled to contain Chelsea's fluid attack in the first half but emerged from the break with renewed energy. They nearly equalised when Bruno Fuchs headed narrowly wide from a corner before Estevao worked his magic with an effort that should be a strong candidate for goal of the tournament so far. The 18-year-old showcased his immense talent by cutting in from the right, gliding past Levi Colwill and smashing an unstoppable shot from a tight angle that flew over keeper Robert Sanchez and off the underside of the crossbar. "Happy because we won, happy because he scored, so it's a perfect night," Maresca said of his new signing. Just when Palmeiras looked at their most dangerous, though, Chelsea found the winner down the other end. Gusto found space down the left and his attempted cross deflected off defender Fuchs and wrongfooted Weverton, the ball bouncing off the goalkeeper's back and into the net to end Palmeiras dreams of an all-Brazilian semi-final.
Washington Post
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
James out of Chelsea's starting lineup for Club World Cup quarterfinal vs Palmeiras due to injury
PHILADELPHIA — Chelsea captain Reece James was removed from the starting lineup for Friday night's Club World Cup quarterfinal match against Palmeiras due to injury. James was listed on FIFA's squad list as injured on the bench. There was no immediate word on the extent of his injury. Midfielder Andrey Santos took James' place in the Blues' starting lineup.
