Reece James responds as Enzo Fernandez sends ‘proud’ message to new Chelsea team-mate
Chelsea are into the quarter-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup after an eventful last-16 clash against Benfica.
Enzo Maresca‘s side remain in firm contention to win the first edition of FIFA’s new-look tournament, but their 4-1 win over Benfica came in circumstances which saw the match take over four hours to complete.
Extreme weather around the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte forced the action to be put on hold for almost two hours after the 85th minute, with Chelsea 1-0 up and seemingly bound for the quarter-finals.
After the delayed restart, Angel di Maria tucked home a VAR-awarded penalty in the 95th minute to take the match to extra time, but Chelsea pulled away in the added half-hour to seal an eventual 4-1 victory.
Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall‘s respective strikes in the 108th, 114th and 117th minutes sent Chelsea into the last eight, but that delay has dominated the post-match discourse.
Fernandez congratulates Chelsea starlet after bizarre Benfica clash
Fernandez and opening goalscorer Reece James avoided the nervous wait for a restart in Charlotte after being substituted just minutes before the enforced stoppage, as Nkunku and Dewsbury-Hall came on.
The pair’s goals either side of man-of-the-match Neto’s settled a near five-hour match, and there was still time for 20-year-old defender Aaron Anselmino to make his Chelsea debut in the 118th minute.
Signed from Boca Juniors for £15million last summer, Anselmino was loaned back out before a recall in January and received a shout-out from his compatriot Fernandez in a full-time Instagram post (29 June).
Fernandez’s message received a ‘blue heart’ emoji comment from Chelsea skipper James, and said: “Proud of the team effort!! Come on Chelsea!! Quarters soon – Congratulations Aaron Anselmino, you deserve it”.
Chelsea transfers to continue amid Club World Cup progress
Football Insider Verdict
Although most Chelsea fans’ full focus will be on the progress of Maresca’s side in the Club World Cup, the Blues are still working on plenty of behind-the-scenes deals back on the other side of the Atlantic.
Joao Pedro has become the latest Brighton player to draw Chelsea’s interest, and their attempt to hijack his switch to Newcastle is a move which will certainly keep Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson on their toes.
Delap has staked a claim to become Chelsea’s first-choice striker with his displays – and Jackson’s disciplinary issues this summer – but the potential £70m arrival of Pedro could throw a spanner in the works before the tournament has even concluded.
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