Chelsea

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter in Charlotte

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea's news conference with Enzo Maresca - in addition to chats with three players - to preview the Club World Cup last-16 match against Benfica was all a bit rushed.

The Blues flew in late from their training base on the south beach in Miami having pre-booked it in the hope they would win the group.

However, a 3-1 defeat by Flamengo meant Chelsea finished second, despite victories in the other two Group D matches against Los Angeles FC and ES Tunis.

That has led to a Champions League-style matchday - the Blues flying into Charlotte for just one night, with the preview activity done at 20:00 local time (the equivalent of 01:00 BST) and then playing the game at the Bank of America Stadium.

Chelsea were previously based in Philadelphia, where they played two matches. They would return there for their quarter-final should they beat Benfica on Saturday, but they will not switch their base back to the city.

Instead, they will stay in Miami before potentially basing themselves in New York for the semi-final and final if they go deep into the tournament.

This is the best way for Chelsea to manage a challenging post-season tournament in significant heat, as staff just attempt to get their players through each round and see how far it takes them.

Similarly, Benfica manager Bruno Lage was talking up the challenges of the tournament, from the heat to the travel and the workload on his players after a long season, and how it will impact their 2025-26 campaign.

All the European clubs involved are trying their best to cope with these challenges and are maybe not the best versions of themselves.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter in Charlotte

Image source, Getty Images

Benfica manager Bruno Lage has described Chelsea's Joao Felix as a "special player" amid links of a move back to his boyhood club for the forward.

The Portugal international was not selected by manager Enzo Maresca to play in the Club World Cup and is expected to be sold this summer.

Felix, who spent last season on loan at AC Milan, has struggled since leaving Benfica for Atletico Madrid at the age of 18 for £113m - the fourth-most expensive transfer at the time.

The 25-year-old attended one of Benfica's group games in Miami last week and when asked about the prospect of Felix returning, Lage said: "We have talked about Joao Felix [coming back] since he left Benfica.

"He is a special player for Benfica, for me, and he is on his holidays. He is maybe asleep now because he is on the other side of the world. It's important to be focused on the players who are going to play against Chelsea."

Lage also said the player workload issues of competing in the Club World Cup are "very hard" and praised Pedro Neto, who he managed when in charge of Wolves and has two goals in two matches at the tournament.

"For me, he is one of the best wingers in the world. They are very good, but they also know that we are a good team. I expect an excellent game.

"When I look to my players, they give me the reasons to believe that it's 50-50. So, we go with that ambition [to win]."

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter in Charlotte

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has ruled out any potential sale of teenage defender Josh Acheampong.

The 19-year-old signed a contract until 2029 in December, but was linked last week with moves to Tottenham, Newcastle or Borussia Dortmund.

However, Maresca is a huge fan of Acheampong, who started against ES Tunis in the final group game at the Club World Cup, and ruled out his sale before Saturday's last-16 tie against Benfica.

"The clubs that you mentioned, they like Josh - but we also like Josh," Maresca said. "Any club likes good players. My plan with Josh is quite clear. I said many times that I really like Josh.

"He potentially can be a top defender for this club. It's on him to have the right timing to do the things. We are full of young players here, full of talented players - even defenders.

"The best plan for Josh is to be with us and I'm very happy if he's going to be with us."

The Italian was less strong when asked if Chelsea could sell fellow defender Trevoh Chalobah, though.

He added: "All the players that are here with us, I don't want to lose them. But then we said many times that when the window is open, unfortunately, anything can happen - to buy a player or to sell a player.

"Trevoh came back to us in January. We made the Champions League spot in the top four and that's also because of Trevoh. He helped us a lot. In this moment, he played also some games here.

"He is with us. We are happy with him. When the window is open, anything can happen - but not only for Trevoh, also for the 25 players of the squad."

With the knockouts about to begin, the Opta supercomputer, external has predicted who is now the favourite to win the Club World Cup and broken down every team's chances.

According to Opta's model, Paris St-Germain are the most likely victors but only by 0.2% with Manchester City, who have the tournament's only perfect record so far, just behind them.

PSG will face Lionel Messi's Inter Miami in the last 16, while Pep Guardiola's men will go up against Al-Hilal after both topping their groups.

Inter Milan, Bayern Munich and Chelsea make up the rest of the top five, with the Premier League side having the most difficult route to the quarter-finals as they face Benfica in the next round.

Should both Chelsea and Manchester City keep winning, they will face each other in the semi-finals at 20:00 BST on Tuesday, 8 July.

Real Madrid are in sixth with just a 9.7% chance of securing the trophy.

Take a look below to see the full break down of every team's chances...

Image source, Opta

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo recognises he needs to decide "sooner or later" whether his international future lies with England or Nigeria.

The 27-year-old has yet to receive an international call-up for either his nation of birth, England, or parentage, Nigeria with the World Cup taking place in the United States in 2026.

Asked about his hopes for playing international football, Adarabioyo said: "The World Cup means it is a decision I need to take sooner rather than later. It is a conversation we will have and we will see how it goes."

The centre-back, born in Manchester, has been open to playing for England, representing the country from under-16s to under-19s, and being on Gareth Southgate's long list while playing at Fulham. However, he has yet to receive a formal call-up.

In terms of Nigeria, Adarabioyo has previously denied turning down any call-ups in the past.

Sources say there was caution in making any decisions after his recent move to Chelsea, with the defender publicly stating he wanted to focus on club football this season.

Adarabioyo is proud to have familial ties with Nigeria and last year his camp received informal contact from them.

Now, with stability at Chelsea after playing 39 games this season, Adarabioyo is approaching decision time should a call-up arise.

Meanwhile, several sources at Chelsea have praised the defender's off-field influence, especially at the Club World Cup where players are away from their families and with a lot of free time on their hands.

They highlighted his close relationship with star player Cole Palmer and nickname 'Uncle' as evidence of his influence as one of a number of leaders in the squad.

"I settled very quickly when I came and took on that leadership role to try and help the boys whenever I can," Adarabioyo added. "At Fulham, I was actually one of the youngest and now to come here and be one of the eldest, it's quite funny. But wherever I've been I've always been one of the leaders in the team."

One example of Adarabioyo's leadership was encouraging Palmer to say more in a man-of-the-match interview after the Conference League final, with the forward in turn filmed applauding his friend after winning 'Superior Player of the Match' in a viral video after the 3-0 win over ES Tunis on Tuesday night.

"No, I'm not a mentor (for Palmer), but I was looking after him a little bit," he added.

"He's a top, top player who doesn't need advice from me to know what he has to do but I'm there whenever he needs me.

"I banter him sometimes and tells he's a little superstar. He handles it very well."

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Neither striker Nicolas Jackson nor winger Noni Madueke are seen as untouchable this summer having been linked with moves away from Chelsea in recent weeks, but both would command large fees and are not actively being forced out of the club.

When asked about Madueke's future recently, boss Enzo Maresca said: "Noni is our player. You can read a lot of speculation at the moment, but we consider Noni our player for the coming season."

However, the arrival of 18-year-old Estevao Willian from Palmeiras after the Club World Cup would mean another left-footed right winger joins the squad in addition to Madueke and Pedro Neto.

The Blues' attitude towards sales of senior players is that few are considered off the table - except top performers Cole Palmer and Moises Caicedo.

Midfielder Andrey Santos is attracting significant interest after a successful loan spell and has struggled for minutes in the Club World Cup, despite making his Chelsea debut as a substitute against ES Tunis.

The Blues would ideally want to keep Santos as a squad player but he could push for an exit.

Goalkeepers Mike Penders and Filip Jorgensen, midfielders Kendry Paez and Mathis Amougou, and defender Aaron Anselmino could all join Strasbourg on loan, but Chelsea are open to allowing their best young players to seek other temporary moves if they can find clubs with European football.

Attacker Omari Kellyman, a £19m signing from Aston Villa last summer, remains out after surgery on a hamstring injury but is expected to be back before the transfer window closes and is seeking a Championship loan move to get his career back on track.

Chelsea are out to sell the vast majority of the senior players not included in their 28-man Club World Cup squad, including Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell, Joao Felix, Axel Disasi, Renato Veiga, Armando Broja, Djordje Petrovic and Lesley Ugochukwu.

Clubs in Saudi Arabia are believed to be monitoring Felix's availability.

Certain academy graduates could also leave permanently, like Leo Castledine, Alfie Gilchrist and Sam Rak-Sakyi.

As first revealed by BBC Sport, goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is set to join Arsenal for £5m.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Centre-back Mark Smith has described playing for Chelsea and his involvement in their first amputee final at the Disability FA Cup as "surreal" and a "pinch yourself moment".

The 40-year-old former soldier counts himself fortunate to be able to lead his side out for Saturday's game against a strong Everton, which will be broadcast live on TNT Sports.

After serving in Afghanistan, Iraq and Bosnia, Smith was involved in a training exercise accident in Canada in 2011.

"I took seven shots - six to my leg and one to my shoulder. The rounds to my leg hit my femoral artery, so I only had a few minutes before bleeding out.

"I flatlined for just over five minutes, so I was very lucky."

Smith spent weeks in intensive care in Canada and the UK but, after two years of rehabilitation, his leg needed to be amputated.

"I was discharged from the military in 2013 and was a bit lost because I'd only ever wanted to be a soldier," he said.

Smith got into bodybuilding, winning Britain's Strongest Disabled Man in 2016 and 2017, and the Arnold Classic World Championships in the USA in 2017 and 2018.

But he always loved football and got into amputee football initially at Peterborough United, winning multiple titles and earning two England caps.

When Peterborough's team folded during the Covid pandemic, Smith helped Chelsea to set up their amputee side - and they are now attempting to win their first trophy.

"The big kid in me never quite grasps who I'm representing," he added.

"I captained the team, and pulling on the Chelsea shirt and captain's armband, despite missing a leg, is everything I dreamed of as a boy - just not how I envisaged it.

"When my boys tell their mates at school their dad plays for Chelsea, it's surreal - a pinch yourself moment every week."

Chelsea's team has also qualified for the cerebral palsy final at the Disability FA Cup as they go for two trophies at St George's Park.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Chelsea FC

"Amputee football is life-changing, putting a positive spin on something that's initially seen as negative."

Defender Mark Smith is gearing up to play for Chelsea at St George's Park for the amputee final at the Disability FA Cup on Saturday.

Describing the benefits of having the opportunity to play for Chelsea, train at Cobham and represent England, he said: "Being around lads who've been in car accidents, motorbike accidents, lived through cancer diagnoses or are military veterans, we help each other mentally."

Smith, who is also a player-manager at Chelsea and doing his coaching badges with non-disabled academy players at MK Dons, added: "What surprises people watching for the first time is the pace of the game, physicality and technical ability.

"We saw a Polish player [Marcin Oleksy] win the Puskas Award [in 2023] for an overhead kick on crutches a few years ago.

"We are like a Jose Mourinho team. We play to our strengths but we are a young, hungry group and preparing at Cobham and aiming to win our first trophy as an amputee team.

"Winning would eclipse my two England caps, that's for sure."

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea are exploring the option of signing two attackers this summer amid ongoing talks with Borussia Dortmund for winger Jamie Gittens.

Dortmund continue to hold out for €70m (£60m) and Chelsea are not in a rush to complete the deal given Gittens is cup-tied for the knockout stages of the Club World Cup.

Alternatives for the 20-year-old include Lyon's Malick Fofana, who has been sounded out for the position vacated by Jadon Sancho after he returned to Manchester United following his season-long loan for a £5m penalty fee.

Signing a versatile forward is seen as a lesser priority but would be done in conjunction with any potential sale of Christopher Nkunku, with Brighton's Joao Pedro and Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike among options considered. The Blues are not currently interested in Randal Kolo Muani despite recent links.

Moves for goalkeepers, left-backs and centre-backs are not ruled in or out and depend entirely on sales of current squad players.

Chelsea were offered the opportunity to sign AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan for £25m but refused to meet the asking price and are not expected to revive their interest.

They remain broadly happy with the three goalkeeping options currently in the squad, featuring Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen and new teenage signing Mike Penders.

Senior sources have also explained they are not afraid to make the squad even younger and are not expecting to have a summer like 2022 or 2023 - when the Blues broke records for fees paid and transfers both in and out of the club.

Chelsea could sign as few as two or three senior players with the squad in good condition in terms of quality, age profile and contract situations.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on how Liam Delap will fare next season and whether he should be first choice ahead of Nicolas Jackson.

Here are some of your comments:

George: It's very hard to compare strikers from clubs at either end of the table. However the goals/XG score is really interesting. I reserve judgement until the end of the season, seeing how both play in this team. My hunch is Delap will shine, and Nico has a lot of growing to do in terms of his temperament and turning his wasteful nature in front of goal.

Colin: Delap is a natural, instinctive, talented striker with a great temperament. Jackson is the polar opposite and a proven liability. He must go.

Marvo: Delap should lead the line, period.

Emmanuel: I think Delap is more composed and looking at the team he's coming from, he will do better and score more goals with Chelsea if he gets the supply. At that age, he will be a great asset to Chelsea.

George F: I think it's time Jackson found another team. He has demonstrated he is not a team player (red cards) and a reluctance to pass. Too often he tries to dribble into an impossible situation and loses possession. On paper, Delap appears to be a terrific fit and a striker that is dearly needed.

Roy: Delap is a breath of fresh air. He's positive and gelled the team instantly. I'd play him ahead of Jackson all day long.

Steve: Delap for me every time, Jackson's a liability. Give Delap the service and he'll get goals. It's the other end I'm more concerned with. The goalkeeper situation is a joke. We're a world-class club with a third-rate goalkeeper. It's ridiculous and so frustrating.

Rich: Delap any day of the week. Jackson has shown how much of a liability he is -his petulant behaviour is his downfall. Delap is a future England star.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Teenage winger Tyrique George says a family sacrifice when he was 12 was the "best decision" in helping his ascent to become a Chelsea player.

The now 19-year-old, who scored in Wednesday's 3-0 win over ES Tunis that helped Chelsea make the last 16 at the Club World Cup, described moving from Camden to Croydon as a boy was "tough" because he "didn't want to move".

However, now he recognises the move was pivotal to his career and saved his mother, who worked as a teacher, undertaking multiple gruelling journeys after work between Chelsea's Surrey training base and north London.

"I used to get the train with my mum from Camden to Cobham after school both there and back, which was really long," George said.

"I've got no clue what lines we took. I'd just get on the train with mum. She put in all those hours for me. She didn't have to do it. She took me to training after she'd finished work, there and back - tired.

"She's a teacher. Training would be an an hour and a half. We'd get back late, but it was worth it."

Eventually, like many talented youngsters in Chelsea's academy, George was offered the chance to move to south Croydon, nearer the club's training base.

But George admits it was not an easy decision to make, adding: "I was living in Camden and then I moved to south Croydon when I was 12 to another school. It was a tough move, to be fair. I didn't really want to move to south Croydon. I left behind most of my mates.

"I was emotional. All my friends were in north London, so me moving away to a completely new area was tough. But I eventually enjoyed it and it was closer to training so after a month or two, it wasn't too bad.

"It was worth it. I think it was the best decision I ever made."

George is now paying his family back having made his 26th appearance of the season but he could be sent out on loan for 2025-26 with Chelsea looking to sign at least one further attacker this summer.

Asked about the possibility, he said: "I'm not really too sure. There's always going to be competition whether they do sign one or not. I'm always ready to learn from them. I learn from all the forward players."

• In depth: read the definitive story of how George made it at Chelsea

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

Given Liam Delap scored his first Chelsea goal in the win against ES Tunis and, with Nicolas Jackson serving a ban, he can use the Club World Cup to press his claim for a starting role in 2025-26.

But how do the two forwards compare?

Delap, 22, had to make the most of limited service as Ipswich struggled in the Premier League last term. He had far fewer touches in the box than Jackson and, as a result, attempted over twice as many shots from outside the area.

But, despite this, he scored two more goals than Jackson, netting 12 times from an xG of just 9.3. He also posted better shot conversion and shot accuracy figures and was far more efficient at converting what Opta define as 'big chances' – a weak spot for Senegal forward Jackson, who only scored seven of 26 such opportunities.

Overall, the two players offer contrasting profiles for Blues boss Enzo Maresca.

Jackson has shown he suits a possession-focused side, completing 76.9% of his passes last term while often looking to lay the ball off to nearby team-mates.

Usually more isolated, Delap had to rely on hopeful flick-ons when receiving long balls up to him but did excel in terms of workrate and hard running.

With Ipswich often on the back foot, the England Under-21s international used his pace and power to carry the ball forward whenever possible, covering over 3,000m, and taking on opponents 89 times – 27 more than Jackson (who also has genuine speed).

Delap also contributed more off the ball, contesting almost twice as many duels and winning a higher proportion of his tackles.

His industry – and his penchant for roughing up defenders – meant he was regularly penalised by referees, accumulating 72 fouls, the second highest in the Premier League.

That figure was almost twice as many as Jackson and he picked up nearly double the number of yellow cards as his new striking rival (12 to seven).

However, Delap was not sent off, and instead, it is Jackson whose reckless red cards against Newcastle in May and Flamengo in the Club World Cup, have put his disciplinary record under the microscope.

How do you think Delap will fare in the 2025-26 season?

Will he reach double figures for goals?

And do you put him as first choice striker above Jackson?

Let us know your thoughts

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Rumours of Chelsea and Manchester United considering a swap involving Christopher Nkunku and Alejandro Garnacho have circulated recently, but which club would get the better deal should it come to pass?

Nkunku, 27, tore knee ligaments barely a month after joining the Blues in summer 2023 and has yet to regain top form, starting just 11 Premier League games.

However, United may be mindful of what 'peak' Nkunku looked like and reflect on his outstanding record during his final two seasons at RB Leipzig. Between August 2021 and May 2023, he scored 36 times in 59 Bundesliga games, converting almost a quarter of his chances and outperforming his xG by 5.3.

While Nkunku has been kicking his heels in west London over the past two years, Garnacho has been a regular for United, starting 53 league matches in that time. Yet speculation over his future has intensified since being dropped from the starting line-up for May's Europa League final defeat by Tottenham.

More winger than forward, Garnacho does not possess the same goalscoring pedigree as Nkunku, albeit he has reached double figures in all competitions in each of the past two seasons. He tends to dribble and cross more, though his total number of assists is disappointing.

Nevertheless, despite fall-outs with both Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim, he is tenacious off the ball, and winning possession in the final third more than any of his United team-mates last term.

The Argentine is also nearly seven years younger than Nkunku and has an excellent record of being available, having not missed a single game through injury in 2024-25.

The below table shows Nkunku's record in the Bundesliga between 2021 and 2023 and Garnacho's in the Premier League alone over the past two seasons.

Who gets the best end of any deal probably depends upon what they are looking for. A winger ticks boxes for Chelsea while United are need a goalscoring striker. If both play at their best, they will be assets.

But that is a big if.

Chelsea are edging closer to a deal to sign Borussia Dortmund and England Under-21 winger Jamie Gittens, 20, with the Bundesliga side holding out for a £50m fee. (ESPN), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca says they have no doubts Liam Delap will score goals for them and that he expects the process to be "quite quick".

The striker, who joined from Ipswich this summer for £30m, scored his first goal for the Blues in their 3-0 win over ES Tunis at the Club World Cup.

Maresca said: "We know Liam is going to score goals for us, we don't have any doubts about that.

"Against Flamengo he had three clear chances to score goals, so that is a good feeling because it means he is there, he is in the right position and doing well.

"Unfortunately, he didn't score against Flamengo but he scored here. We expect the process to be quite quick with Liam because we know him and he knows us in the way we want to play."

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

It has not always been plain sailing for Enzo Fernandez at Chelsea.

There was a lot of expectation on the World Cup winner when he joined from Benfica in the 2023 January transfer window for a British record fee of £107m.

While things started off brightly in those first few months, like a number of players, Fernandez suffered in the chaotic nature of the Blues' squad upheaval.

He seemed to struggle with the weight of the price tag and then suffered a hernia which required surgery and ruled him out of the remaining part of the 2023-24 campaign.

The 24-year-old then began last season amid an alleged racism scandal after he sang a derogatory song about black players in the France national team, before losing his starting place to Romeo Lavia in the autumn months.

However, when he got his chance again, he stepped up and made seven goal contributions in six Premier League games between 10 November and 15 December.

And while other players dropped off in the second half of the campaign, Fernandez came to the fore with some crucial goals and assists to help Chelsea secure Champions League football for 2025-26, and silverware by winning the Conference League.

The Argentina international was once again among the goal contributions overnight when he provided two assists in the side's 3-0 over ES Tunis in the Club World Cup.

In fact, Fernandez has provided more assists (eight) and scored more goals (six) than any other Chelsea player in this calendar year.

Heis also the only Chelsea player to create 50 or more chances in that time (54).

And, since the start of April, the midfielder has the most goals and assists combined of any Premier League player in all competitions (11 - four goals, seven assists).

It seems Fernandez could finally be finding the form that led the Blues' hierarchy to break their transfer record to bring him in.

While talisman Cole Palmer is often seen as the creative force, that could now be being challenged with Fernandez, Pedro Neto and Tyrique George all contributing more or equal to the Chelsea number 10 in 2025 so far.

But who will be the one to top this table next season?

Make your choice here

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Chelsea beat ES Tunis 3-0 to qualify for the knockout stages of the Club World Cup.

Here are some of your comments:

Dell: Considering the amount of changes to the starting line-up, I thought we played well in the first half. The ball was moved around at pace and we went forward rather than the pedestrian sideways and backwards movement we see so often. The second half was played at a slower pace but we still tried for more goals. Tosin's headed goal finally broke the deadlock and with Delap getting his first a couple of minutes later broke the hearts of Tunis. Overall, I reckon it was a good team performance by Chelsea.

Nick: A very comfortable win - frankly no more than expected - by what was practically Chelsea's 'Conference League Group Stage' starting XI. Very tough playing conditions, so the slow pace was unsurprising. Well-taken goals by Tosin and Delap. And an unexpected bonus to be playing Benfica rather than Bayern Munich in the last 16.

Ahmed: The good thing is Chelsea won and progress, and good to play Benfica next, That should be a bit easier than Harry Kane's Bayern. Hopefully make last eight. Keep winning, Blues.

David: The first of many goals for Delap. We hope!

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter in Philadelphia

Image source, Getty Images

Liam Delap proved he can be a threatening option up front, with alternative striking option Nicolas Jackson still suspended for the last-16 match against Benfica following his sending off against Flamengo.

The £30m summer signing opened his Chelsea account with a stylish goal - a deft first touch, spin and placed shot into the bottom corner just before referee Yaez Falcon Perez blew his whistle for half-time.

The England Under-21 international had earlier twisted into space after Noni Madueke's pass inside and saw a shot saved by goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said.

Chelsea dominated possession on a hot evening, having 74% of the ball. They also managed 16 shots to just three - and none on target - from ES Tunis.

Midfielder Enzo Fernandez captained the team in the absence of an ill Reece James and set up both goals before being taken off for debutant Andrey Santos in the second half. Mamadou Sarr also made his first appearance for the club.

Several Chelsea players struggled to impress - like Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Malo Gusto and Christopher Nkunku - but it was understandable in such difficult conditions in Philadelphia and after eight changes.

Have your say on the victory and Chelsea's Club World Cup so far

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, speaking after victory over ES Tunis in their final group game of the Club World Cup: "The performance was good. It was not easy and, until we scored the first goal, it was difficult to break their defensive line down.

"We were quite patient, and when we scored the first goal the game became a little more open and a little easier for us.

"It's impossible not to rotate players because playing every three days in these conditions means it's not possible for them to play every game. The ones who played were good and we've given some rest to many players.

"It's important to recover the energy and try to win the next game.

On Chelsea's last-16 opponents Benfica, Maresca added: "We know Benfica is a top club, with a top manager and top players.

"It's going to be tough, but from 32 we are now into the round of 16 - and our next target is to go into the quarter-finals."