• Jackson vs Delap to lead the line?
• Cucurella and James both booked.
• Enzo Fernandez to start?
What can Chelsea fans can expect from Flamengo?
On Friday 20th June, at 7:00 PM BST, Chelsea will face Flamengo in a crucial Group D fixture of the FIFA Club World Cup at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, USA. This will be the second group stage game of the FIFA Club World Cup, following Chelsea’s opening 2-0 victory over Los Angeles FC on June 16, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Flamengo, qualifying as South American champions via their 2022 Copa Libertadores triumph, presents a formidable challenge, making this encounter pivotal for Chelsea’s progression to the knockout stages.
Flamengo currently sit top of the group and are above Chelsea due to Chelsea having more yellow cards:
Flamengo, known as the Rubro-Negro, qualified for the Club World Cup as CONMEBOL champions, winning the 2022 Copa Libertadores. Their domestic form is impressive, sitting one point clear at the top of Brazil’s Serie A after 11 matches, with recent highlights including a 3-1 victory over Botafogo in the 2025 Supercopa do Brasil, where Bruno Henrique and Luiz Araujo scored.
Old Friends?
Familiar faces for Chelsea fans are Jorginho and Felipe Luis. Jorginho joined Flamengo from Arsenal earlier in June 2025 and provided an assist in Flamengo's first game vs ES Tunis. Felipe Luis is the current manager of Flamengo, who was appointed at the start of last season, after retiring as a player in 2023. Two people who will know Chelsea very well.
Chelsea will reunite with former players Felipe Luis (Flamengo manager) and Jorginho on Friday 💙 pic.twitter.com/FoRyP1YRju
— CFC-Blues (@CFCBlues_com) June 17, 2025
Chelsea 2-0 LAFC - The Verdict.
Chelsea secured a comfortable 2-0 win against Los Angeles FC, showcasing their attacking prowess and defensive solidity. The Blues dominated possession early, with Cole Palmer breaking the deadlock in the 32nd minute after a slick one-two with Noni Madueke, slotting the ball past LAFC’s goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
Chelsea’s relentless pressure paid off again just before halftime when Enzo Fernandez rifled in a stunning long-range effort, leaving the MLS side stunned. Despite a spirited second-half push from LAFC, led by Denis Bouanga, Chelsea’s backline, marshalled by Levi Colwill, held firm to preserve the clean sheet.
The match served as a valuable test for both teams, with Chelsea’s new manager pleased with the squad’s cohesion ahead of the Premier League season, while LAFC will look to build on this experience as they prepare for their MLS campaign. The 2-0 scoreline reflected Chelsea’s control, but LAFC’s resilience hinted at their potential to compete on bigger stages.
Predicted Line-up vs Flamengo.
Flamengo will likely be Chelsea's toughest fixture in the group. With that in mind, I think Enzo Maresca will likely go strong again against Flamengo on Friday night.
However, I imagine there will be a few small changes in the team due to certain players needing a rest. My expected changes are:
• Enzo Fernandez to come in for Romeo Lavia, after he scored the second goal and Lavia's injury record.
• Nicolas Jackson or Liam Delap? Both strikers played well. It's likely he'll go with Jackson again, however he may opt for Delap after his impressive cameo against LAFC. I think a lot of Chelsea fans would like to see Delap given a start.
• Marc Cucurella and Reece James both got booked in the first game and are now both one yellow card away from missing a game. I still believe that they will start as if they do pick up another yellow, then they will only miss the last game of the group stage against ES Tunis which you'd like to think that Chelsea will be too strong for.
• Noni Madueke came under some criticism among Chelsea supporters after his performance against LAFC. Many fans feel as though he's not suited as a LW, which Maresca may opt for Tyrique George or even play Nicolas Jackson on the left.
This would be my Chelsea XI to face Flamengo on Friday night (below). Let us know your thoughts on our social media channels linked below.
My team to face Flamengo. Three points needed and then we can rotate in the last group game. Thoughts? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/EJnWYfU5wc
— CFC-Blues (@CFCBlues_com) June 17, 2025
