Chelsea vs PSG: Blues plan tactical surprise for Club World Cup final favourites

Chelsea could be preparing a tactical shake-up ahead of their highly anticipated Club World Cup final clash against Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday.

With PSG widely seen as favourites, Blues boss Enzo Maresca is reportedly exploring unconventional strategies, including surprise midfield adjustments, to try and tip the balance in Chelsea’s favour.

French forward Christopher Nkunku may be playing his final match for Chelsea against his boyhood club in the Club World Cup final.

According to reports from L’Équipe, the French forward has fallen out of favour with Maresca, who has been unconvinced of his fit in Chelsea’s system.

Despite thriving in Germany as a second striker, Nkunku has rarely been utilised in his preferred central roles, with Maresca opting instead for Cole Palmer as the creative engine behind the attack.

In training, Nkunku has even been trialled in unfamiliar positions, including defensive midfield, a move seen by some as a psychological test. The tension suggests that his Stamford Bridge chapter is coming to an abrupt close, with Sunday’s final likely to be his curtain call in blue.

While PSG enter the final riding high after dismantling Real Madrid 4-0, Chelsea are counting on tactical surprises to rattle the French champions.

One such wildcard could come in midfield, where doubts linger over Moises Caicedo’s match fitness for the crucial final.

Maresca’s Nkunku experiment in training could be a trial run for a midfield surprise against the heavily favoured Champions League winners known for their central dominance.

Although clear underdogs, the Blues are undeterred and could use Nkunku as a surprise against PSG before he bids farewell.