Maresca Bemons “Impossible” as Chelsea prepares for the final group game
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has admitted that he is currently experiencing the East Coast of the US, and is struggling to properly prepare for the Club World Cup match.
With temperatures rising sharply in Philadelphia, Maresca says it’s virtually impossible to train under normal conditions as Blues is set to play Estunis in the final group stage game.
“It’s almost impossible to train a full session for the weather,” Maresca told reporters at a press conference before the must-see fixture.
With the city’s heat index reaching 108 degrees Fahrenheit (42.2 degrees Celsius), this condition has proven to be a serious obstacle not only to player performance, but also to basic logistics of game preparation.
Chelsea’s latest training session was intentionally shortened to maintain energy and avoid fatigue before any future matches.
“We’re trying to save energy in the game. This morning’s session was very short. Just plans for tomorrow. That’s all,” explained Maresca.
Enzo Maresca says weather conditions in Philadelphia make training difficult 🥵 pic.twitter.com/hpazy9we9y
-ESPN UK (@espnuk) June 24, 2025
“It’s not easy with these temperatures, but we’re going to do our best to reach the next stage of the competition.”
Philadelphia has declared a fever emergency in response to dangerous high temperatures expected to last until Wednesday evening.
In response, local governments have opened air-conditioned public spaces, including libraries and community centres, and launched a medical helpline deployed by experts to support heat-related health concerns.
For Chelsea, the conditions added difficult layers to the already pressure-packed tournament. The team is trying to recover from the unfortunate 3-1 defeat to Flamengo and needs a result against Es Tunis to avoid elimination.
However, as extreme weather impacts all aspects of preparation, Maresca’s team had few options other than adapting on the spot.
Chelsea isn’t the only heat. Several teams in the competition have expressed concerns about the intense climate and wider playing conditions.
Borussia Dortmund, for example, maintained a replacement in the dressing room in the first half of his recent match, as temperatures that could not stand are pitch side.
The Club World Cup has been held in several American cities, many of which deal with record heat, ensuring wider preparations for the venue for next year’s World Cup. This will also be held in the US, Canada and Mexico.