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Iraqi News
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Iraqi News
Chelsea boss Maresca hails Fernandez ahead of Benfica Club World Cup clash
Charlotte – Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca on Friday hailed the contribution of playmaker Enzo Fernandez as the Argentinian prepares to come up against his old team Benfica at the Club World Cup. 'I am very pleased with Enzo especially because first of all he is a nice and polite boy, and then with us since we started he has been working very well in every aspect on and off the pitch,' Maresca told reporters in Charlotte. That is where the sides will face off on Saturday in the last 16 of FIFA's expanded competition. Fernandez was a vital cog in the Chelsea side that finished fourth in the Premier League to qualify for next season's Champions League, and also featured in their run to the UEFA Conference League title. At the Club World Cup he came off the bench at half-time to score the second goal in the 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC in their opening game. The 24-year-old has started both matches since, and laid on two goals in the 3-0 victory against Esperance of Tunisia in Philadelphia which clinched Chelsea's place in the last 16. Fernandez was signed from Benfica in February 2023 for a British transfer record fee at the time of £107 million ($147 million). In 2025 he has scored and assisted a total of 14 goals. 'This season he struggled a bit at the beginning to understand the way we want to play but (since) then he is doing fantastic also in terms of numbers, goals and assists,' Maresca added. 'This is what I want from attacking players — I have said many times that I prefer to have attacking players with 10-12 goals each than just one striker with 40 goals. 'His contribution has been top and I am sure it will be even better next season.' Chelsea have won all three previous competitive meetings with Benfica, the last coming in the Europa League final in 2013. But Maresca is wary of the Portuguese side after they beat Bayern Munich to top their group at the competition. 'I think Benfica, not only in this competition, have always shown how big a club they are in Europe,' said the coach. 'In the last game they beat Bayern so they showed what they can do. Every game is tough and complicated, and anything can happen.' If Chelsea win they will head to Philadelphia for a quarter-final on July 4.
The Hindu
12 hours ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Benfica vs Chelsea LIVE streaming info: Where to watch FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match? Predicted lineups
Chelsea of England takes on Portuguese club Benfica in the first round of 16 match of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 on Sunday (IST) at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. UEFA Conference League winner Chelsea finished second behind Flamengo in Group D, while Benfica topped Group C ahead of German champion Bayern Munich. LIVE STREAMING INFO When is the Benfica vs Chelsea FIFA Club World Cup match? The ES Tunis vs Chelsea FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match will kick off at 12:30 am (IST) on June 29, Sunday at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Where to watch the Benfica vs Chelsea FIFA Club World Cup match LIVE? The Benfica vs Chelsea FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match will not be telecast anywhere in India. The match will be live-streamed on the DAZN website. PREDICTED LINEUPS Chelsea: Sanchez (gk), James, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella, Lavia, Caicedo, Neto, Palmer, Madueke, Jackson. Benfica: Trubin (gk); Aursnes, Silva, Otamendi, Carreras; Barreiro, Sanches; Di Maria, Prestianni, Schjelderup; Pavlidis.
Al-Ahram Weekly
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Chelsea boss Maresca hails Fernandez ahead of Benfica World Cup clash
"I am very pleased with Enzo especially because first of all he is a nice and polite boy, and then with us since we started he has been working very well in every aspect on and off the pitch," Maresca told reporters in Charlotte. That is where the sides will face off on Saturday in the last 16 of FIFA's expanded competition. Fernandez was a vital cog in the Chelsea side that finished fourth in the Premier League to qualify for next season's Champions League, and also featured in their run to the UEFA Conference League title. At the Club World Cup he came off the bench at half-time to score the second goal in the 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC in their opening game. The 24-year-old has started both matches since, and laid on two goals in the 3-0 victory against Esperance of Tunisia in Philadelphia which clinched Chelsea's place in the last 16. Fernandez was signed from Benfica in February 2023 for a British transfer record fee at the time of £107 million ($147 million). In 2025 he has scored and assisted a total of 14 goals. "This season he struggled a bit at the beginning to understand the way we want to play but (since) then he is doing fantastic also in terms of numbers, goals and assists," Maresca added. "This is what I want from attacking players -- I have said many times that I prefer to have attacking players with 10-12 goals each than just one striker with 40 goals. "His contribution has been top and I am sure it will be even better next season." Chelsea have won all three previous competitive meetings with Benfica, the last coming in the Europa League final in 2013. But Maresca is wary of the Portuguese side after they beat Bayern Munich to top their group at the competition. "I think Benfica, not only in this competition, have always shown how big a club they are in Europe," said the coach. "In the last game they beat Bayern so they showed what they can do. Every game is tough and complicated, and anything can happen." If Chelsea win they will head to Philadelphia for a quarter-final on July 4. Find more details on group standings, match schedules, and competition statistics (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Short link:
Glasgow Times
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Djurgarden boss on Celtic-linked Keita Kosugi speculation
Celtic was reportedly interested in the Japanese defender at the end of last month. With Greg Taylor on the brink of joining Greek team PAOK, Brendan Rodgers needs back-up for the returning Kieran Tierney, and Kosugi could be a potential option. Jani Honkavaara, the manager of the Swedish top-flight side, said [Sportbladet via RecordSport]: "There have been rumours all along. Read more: "When we had a good season in Europe, there was a lot of interest. "He's a good player and if we lose him we have to find a replacement. "We've sold for quite a lot of money. "I hope we can spend some money too." The 19-year-old helped Djurgården reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Conference League last season, where they were ultimately defeated by Chelsea. He has established himself as a regular with Djurgarden, who currently sit ninth in the Allsvenskan, 12 games into the 2025 campaign. Kosugi's move to Sweden was just over a year ago.
The National
17 hours ago
- Sport
- The National
Celtic target's boss addresses transfer speculation
It was reported at the end of last month that the Parkhead club are one of a number of sides interested in a move for the Japanese defender. With Greg Taylor on the brink of joining Greek outfit PAOK, Brendan Rodgers needs back-up for the returning Kieran Tierney, and Kosugi could be a potential option. Read more: He plies his trade with Swedish top-flight side Djurgarden. Their manager, Honkavaara, recently addressed the transfer interest in his left back: "There have been rumours all along," he said of Kosugi [Sportbladet via RecordSport]. "When we had a good season in Europe, there was a lot of interest. "He's a good player, and if we lose him, we have to find a replacement. "We've sold for quite a lot of money. I hope we can spend some money too. We'll see how it goes. It's been good money, but now maybe it's time to build something." Kosugi helped Djurgarden reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Conference League last season, where they were ultimately defeated by Chelsea, who went on to win the competition. The 19-year-old only moved to Sweden just over a year ago, but has established himself as a regular with Djurgarden. His team currently sit ninth in the Allsvenskan, 12 games into the 2025 campaign.
