By Martin Graham
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has admitted it is “impossible” to conduct full training sessions during a severe heatwave in Philadelphia, where the team is preparing for their final Club World Cup group match. The region is currently under a “code red” heat alert, with temperatures reaching 37°C and humidity making conditions feel closer to 45°C, according to Accuweather. Monday marked the first time in 13 years that local forecasts predicted a high above 100°F (37.8°C).
Maresca revealed that the session held at Subaru Park, the stadium of local MLS side Philadelphia Union, was kept “very, very, very short” in an effort to preserve players’ energy. “This morning’s session was only about tomorrow’s game, no more than that,” said the Italian coach. “In these conditions, it’s not easy to work, but we’re here, and we’ll try to do our best.”
Public authorities in Philadelphia have urged residents to avoid physical activity in high temperatures, yet matches at the tournament have continued to be scheduled in the hottest part of the day. Despite the challenges, Chelsea must deliver a result in their upcoming match to stay in the competition.
Tournament heat raises wider concerns
The intense heat has affected several teams at FIFA’s expanded tournament, with managers and players expressing their discomfort. Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac described the conditions in Cincinnati as “like I’ve just come out of a sauna” after their victory over Mamelodi Sundowns in 32°C weather.
Atletico Madrid midfielder Marcos Llorente, who played in similar conditions during a 4-0 loss to Paris St-Germain in Pasadena, said, “It was terribly hot. My toes were sore, my nails were hurting – it’s incredible.” These statements have sparked growing concern over the viability of the United States hosting the World Cup during a similar summer timeframe next year.
Short training and squad challenges for Blues
Chelsea are under pressure to secure a result against Tunisia’s ES Tunis following their 3-1 defeat to Flamengo. A draw would be enough to finish second in Group D and progress to a last-16 match against one of Bayern Munich, Benfica, or Boca Juniors.
Team preparations have been adjusted to manage the extreme weather. During the brief training at Subaru Park, players were regularly offered drinks, and crates of iced water were placed around the field. Large fans blew mist over the squad, and training was limited to shaded areas of the stadium in Chester, Pennsylvania, just outside Philadelphia.
Squad issues have added to Chelsea’s challenges. Captain Reece James may miss the match due to illness, while forward Nicolas Jackson is suspended following a red card in the previous game. He was also absent from the team’s open session on Monday.
Defender Marc Cucurella acknowledged the difficulty of the environment but insisted the team remains focused. “It takes some getting used to,” he said. “We played a lot of games last season, but we have a mission here and want to go far.”
