The Blues will be boosted in the quarter-finals, however, by the return of Nicolas Jackson. The Senegalese striker was sent off for a rash studs-up tackle mere minutes after his introduction in the second half of Chelsea’s 3-1 group stage loss to Flamengo.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca hit out at the Club World Cup organizers and suggested the United States is not a suitable host for the competition after his team’s last-16 win over Benfica was disrupted by a two-hour weather delay.

After Chelsea's 4-1 victory on Saturday in Charlotte, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca questioned the decision to have the CWC be held in the U.S.