Twisted ankle in injury-time: In the closing moments of the 2‑0 win over Fluminense, Caicedo caught his studs in the turf and twisted his left ankle. He received treatment, briefly continued, but ultimately had to come off before the final whistle .
Manager’s remarks: Enzo Maresca confirmed:
> “He tried and he felt pain. So hopefully he can be fit for Sunday. We will see.”
The coach emphasized that it wasn’t a severe injury—no major structural damage—but warned it could still rule him out of the final.
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Implications for Sunday’s Final
🔄 Midfield shake-up
Caicedo has been a central figure in Maresca’s midfield since joining Chelsea in 2023. Losing him would be a blow, but the squad has depth:
Andrey Santos and Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall both featured late in the Fluminense game, showing readiness .
Roméo Lavia and Dário Essugo were practiced covers, though Essugo is out for the rest of the tournament due to training injury .
🤕 Fitness race—a race against time
Chelsea’s medical staff are working against the clock with intense icing and rehabilitation. Given it’s only a sprain, there’s optimism, but with the final on Sunday, July 13, 2025, a lot rests on:
How much swelling and pain Caicedo experiences by Friday/Saturday.
Whether he can regain enough mobility and fitness in time.
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The Stakes: Club World Cup Final
Opponents: Chelsea will face either Real Madrid or PSG in the final—both recent Champions League winners .
Chels reaching this stage: The semi-final victory showcased the depth of the squad—João Pedro shone with a debut brace, and they controlled much of the game despite weather and pressure .
Legacy moment: Maresca was clear—making this final is “something to be proud of,” and the first edition of the expanded tournament adds prestige .
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What’s Next
Date Event Focus
Thursday, Jul 10 Medical updates & scans Check swelling and ligament involvement
Friday–Sat Light training or testing Monitor agility, pain, and ankle stability
Sunday, Jul 13 Club World Cup Final Caicedo’s availability hinges on midweek recovery
If his condition worsens, Chelsea likely play without him and favor a midfield trio of Santos, Dewsbury‑Hall, and Lavia/Essugo.
If cleared, his presence would significantly bolster the midfield—offering energy, control, and defensive balance.
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🔍 Backdrop: Caicedo’s Importance
Ever-present in this campaign—starting all matches and key in controlling tempo and pressing .
Known for physicality and leadership—also named Chelsea Player of the Season for 2024‑25 .
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Final Thoughts
The sprain is a concern, but not alarmingly serious.
Chelsea’s medical and coaching staff face a tight deadline—success hinges on two days of recovery.
His comfort level on the ball and midfield presence would be missed if he can’t play, but Chelsea have viable alternatives.
Win or lose, reaching the final is already a major achievement—yet how they line up on Sunday may much depend on Caicedo’s fitness.
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Bottom line: As of now, Moisés Caicedo remains a doubt, not definitively ruled out. Fans will want a formal update after Thursday’s medical check. Whatever the outcome, Maresca has built a squad deep enough
to adapt—but Caicedo’s return would be a huge lift ahead of a monumental final.
