Chelsea Struggles in Heat at FIFA Club World Cup
The oppressive heat is proving to be quite a challenge for Chelsea as they participate in the FIFA Club World Cup in Philadelphia.
Manager Enzo Maresca shared with the media that the team is engaging in heat training given the current conditions.
“With the weather like this, training sessions are nearly impossible,” Maresca stated.
Chelsea is gearing up for an important group stage match against Esperance de Tunis at Lincoln Financial Field on Tuesday night. However, Monday’s training was hampered by a heat wave.
According to the Weather Channel, temperatures soared to 98 degrees, feeling more like 104 due to humidity. At Subaru Park, Chelsea resorted to using large industrial fans and cooling sprays in an attempt to cope with the high temperatures, but the training session was, unfortunately, cut short.
“We need to conserve our energy for the game. This morning’s session was indeed very brief,” Maresca noted.
For Chelsea, this match is crucial; a tougher battle lies ahead after experiencing a disappointing 3-1 loss to Flamengo, which has diminished their chances of advancing from Group D.
If Chelsea wins against Esperance de Tunis, they will move on to the quarterfinals. A draw would also secure their progression.
They’re not alone in their concerns about the extreme temperatures. Other teams have voiced their apprehensions as well.
Even early in the tournament, Paris Saint-Germain and Athletic Madrid acknowledged that the heat impacted their recent match outcomes.
“The temperature clearly influenced the game,” remarked PSG’s Luis Enrique.
In another match, Dortmund was seen taking measures to keep cool during the first half, an unusual scenario under normal circumstances.
This tournament serves as a precursor to the 2026 World Cup, which is anticipated to be hosted in the U.S. During this time, FIFA is facing questions regarding how they’re addressing these heat-related issues.
Apart from providing short breaks during games, FIFA informed Athletic that their health professionals are “in regular contact with the clubs to manage heat adaptation and safety.”
