Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has dismissed strategies that the membership’s hierarchy is pressuring him to win the Club World Cup due to the huge monetary rewards on provide at FIFA’s revamped match.
World soccer’s governing physique has introduced a staggering $1 billion prize pool for the 32 collaborating groups within the United States.
If Chelsea, certainly one of 12 European sides within the competitors, carry the trophy on July 13, they stand to earn round $125 million (92.4 million kilos) in prize cash – providing a major monetary increase forward of subsequent season.
Still, Maresca insisted the membership’s focus has remained strictly on efficiency, not revenue.
“Money hasn’t been part of the conversation,” he mentioned of his discussions with the membership’s management.
“The owners just want the best for us and for the players game by game, and they are not talking about the final prize or the final reward in terms of money,” the Italian instructed reporters in Philadelphia forward of Tuesday’s match towards Esperance of Tunis.
“They never put pressure on me or the players in terms of, ‘We need to win this tournament because of the money.’”
Chelsea should keep away from defeat towards the Tunisian four-time African champions to qualify for the final 16 from Group D.
That comes after a 3-1 loss to Brazilian giants Flamengo of their earlier match, when Maresca appeared to prioritize tactical experimentation over outcomes.
Playing Cole Palmer on the precise of a entrance three proved ineffective, because the England worldwide struggled to make an impression.
“Off the ball, Cole was defending a little more wide, but the position on the ball was exactly the same position as during the season,” Maresca defined.
“If it’s a good second or to not strive new issues, I don’t know. But we are also right here to consider the longer term and to strive completely different methods.
“Last year we played three or four different systems during the season. The idea is to continue to evolve and improve, and to try different things.”
Heat, think about Philadelphia
Philadelphia is at present experiencing a fierce heatwave, and whereas the 9 p.m. native time kickoff on Wednesday ought to assist reduce its impact on the match itself, the intense temperatures have difficult preparations.
“It is almost impossible to train because of the weather. Now we are just trying to save energy for the game,” mentioned Maresca, who is predicted to rotate his squad and make a number of modifications to the beginning lineup.
Striker Nicolas Jackson is suspended after being despatched off towards Flamengo simply minutes after approaching as an alternative.
Chelsea received their opening match on the match, defeating Los Angeles FC 2-0 in Atlanta, earlier than the loss to Flamengo.
Esperance rebounded from their defeat to the Brazilians with a 1-0 win over LAFC in Nashville of their final outing. It stays the one victory in six matches at this Club World Cup for a North African group.
If Chelsea advances, they may head to Charlotte for a last-16 tie on Saturday towards the winner of Group C, which may very well be Bayern Munich.
“If we go through, we can talk about Bayern,” mentioned Maresca. “In this moment, it has to be about tomorrow. Football is full of surprises.”
Esperance coach Maher Kanzari mentioned his group is prepared for a “historical” conflict towards the Blues.
“We are prepared and we have to fulfill the expectations of our technical team, of our fans, of the Tunisian public. It will be a historical game,” he mentioned.
“We shall be effectively ready, particularly mentally. Everyone is ready for this sport and we’re actually pleased with what we’ve got achieved to this point.
“Hopefully, we will do what it takes.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com