Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca must drop trio for Club World Cup final after Palmer lashed out

Chelsea edged their way into the Club World Cup final on Tuesday and Enzo Maresca has some big decisions to make ahead of Sunday's final. The Blues boss has rotated his squad during the tournament, handing minutes to fringe players alongside some of the club's biggest stars.

However, Maresca will surely go full strength for the Club World Cup showdown, particularly with so much money on the line for the winners. Here are three players who could face being dropped from the line-up.

Cole Palmer

Palmer has not looked his usual world-beating best since the end of 2024. At the Club World Cup, the clearly fatigued star has cut a frustrated figure. During the semi-final against Fluminense, the England international was visibly angered by team-mate Nicolas Jackson.

Jackson, who started as a substitute and is extremely unlikely to start the final, took a shot when a pass to Palmer would have resulted in a certain goal. Palmer kicked the post and then shouted at his team-mate.

The 22-year-old would benefit from a lengthy break and Maresca should consider allowing him to start that holiday over the coming days, rather than force another match upon the struggling attacking midfielder. Fans want to see Palmer at his best next season, and yet more football is not going to help that at this stage.

Malo Gusto

Right-back is an area of concern for Chelsea. Gusto has not hit his usual heights since Reece James' return to full fitness midway through last season. The Frenchman was even loosely linked with an exit at the start of the summer.

After a tough time in Chelsea's Conference League final victory over Real Betis, Gusto has followed that up with a couple of unconvincing performances in the U.S. Against Flamengo, he was hauled off in the 68th minute, with the Brazilian side targeting his side of the pitch. James could return to the Chelsea line-up for Sunday's final.

Trevoh Chalobah

Levi Colwill will almost certainly return to Chelsea's team for the final after serving a one-match suspension against Fluminense. The defender was booked for dissent in the quarter-final but can return for the showdown clash.

That leaves Chalobah likely to drop out of Maresca's team. The academy graduate has been linked with a departure this summer, but started the semi-final victory. It remains to be seen whether he will depart Stamford Bridge.