Why £30m new boy Liam Delap will MISS Chelsea's Club World Cup semi-final against Fluminense as doubts surround captain Reece James after latest setback
Chelsea's new £30 million ($40m) man Liam Delap will miss the Club World Cup semi-final against Fluminense, while Reece James is a doubt with injury.
Delap is set to miss the final-four clash through suspension, while boss Enzo Maresca has confirmed he will not take any risks over captain James, who missed the quarter-final against Palmeiras.
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THE EXPLANATION
James hobbled out of the warm-up ahead of Friday's clash, with Maresca explaining that "he felt something". Delap, meanwhile, who cost £30m from Ipswich this summer, has fallen foul of the strict disciplinary rules, with a harsh second yellow card of the tournament for barging a Palmeiras defender meaning he will miss Tuesday's clash.
DID YOU KNOW?
The absences do not stop there, with Maresca also set to be without defender Levi Colwill. The centre-back also collected his second booking of the tournament against Palmeiras and will have to miss out against Fluminense. Romeo Lavia was not risked against the Brazilian side after having an issue in the previous round.
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WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?
Maresca still has plenty of options at centre-back, with Tosin Adarabioyo and Josh Acheampong unused substitutes in the quarter-final. Nicolas Jackson - who is back from his own suspension - or new signing Joao Pedro could start in place of Delap.