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Maresca has proved Mikel wrong as Chelsea defeated Benfica in chaotic Club World Cup clash
Maresca's tactical gamble has proved Mikel wrong as Chelsea defeated Benfica in chaotic Club World Cup clash.
Cole Palmer played a pivotal role in Chelsea's dramatic and controversial 4-1 extra-time victory over Benfica in the Club World Cup, a performance that seemingly silenced his critics, including former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel.
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The match, marred by a two-hour weather delay, saw Palmer thrive in an unfamiliar left-wing role, directly contributing to Chelsea securing their quarter-final berth.
What happened
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Before the match, John Obi Mikel, known for his candid assessments of his former club, openly questioned manager Enzo Maresca's decision to deploy Palmer on the left.
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Speaking to DAZN, Mikel expressed strong reservations, "What’s the manager thinking? Cole Palmer should not be playing out wide. When you play Cole Palmer out wide he gets lost in the game. It’s like playing Bellingham out of position, you don’t get the best out of him. Palmer is our number ten!"
Maresca tactics proves Mikel wrong
However, Maresca's tactical gamble proved astute as Palmer's link-up play with Marc Cucurella on the left flank was a major strength for Chelsea, creating their most dominant attacking avenue.
This positional tweak also allowed Enzo Fernandez to exert greater influence in a central attacking role and Pedro Neto to operate in his preferred right-wing position, a combination that ultimately paid dividends.
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Indeed, reports from the match highlighted Palmer's strong performance, with one outlet noting he "thrived in new left hand side role."
After a two-hour weather delay and a late Benfica penalty that took the game to extra time, Chelsea ultimately secured a comprehensive 4-1 win, with goals from Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the added period.
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08:18 - 29.06.2025
FIFA at fault? - Maresca calls Club World Cup a joke after Chelsea Vs Benfica halted by weather fears
Enzo Maresca was not pleased with what transpired during Chelsea's 4-1 victory over Benfica.
Cole Palmer had won the free-kick that led to James's opening goal.
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