Enzo Maresca deploys bizarre training tactic involving £52m Chelsea man ahead of Club World Cup final
Enzo Maresca has had a number of days to come up with a plan for his Chelsea side to get the better of PSG in the Club World Cup final.
The Blues are seen by many as the underdogs for the tie, however have seen their performances get better as the competition has gone on in the United States.
Alan Shearer believes Chelsea can beat PSG if they look to play on the counter attack, rather than try and match their style of play.
Maresca does have a number of injury problems to deal with going into the final. Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo are both injured, although it looks as if Moises Caicedo is going to be available after limping off in the semi-final.
Enzo Maresca trials Christopher Nkunku in defensive midfield in Chelsea training
If he wasn’t fit, the Blues were facing a real injury crisis going into the clash with the Champions League winners, and someone may have found themselves playing severely out of position.
According to L’Equipe, recognised forward Christopher Nkunku has been playing in the defensive midfield role in training.
The France international is extremely versatile, and has made his mark for Chelsea in this competition in a number of positions.
However, these have normally come in the final third, and it doesn’t feel as if his skillset would suit playing the role that would normally be occupied by Caicedo.
Nkunku enjoying Chelsea revival
There is still an expectation that Nkunku will be on the move at the end of the Club World Cup, making the clash with former club PSG potentially his last in a Chelsea shirt.
However, it has to be said that his performances have improved during the competition, with him frequently being a starter for Maresca.
He scored the important second goal in their 4-1 win over Benfica in the Round of 16, before Nkunku was named in the Team of the Week alongside a host of his teammates following the semi-final win.
There is a big chance the Frenchman is named in the starting side to face PSG, with the likes of Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson also eyeing a return to the XI.
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