Chelsea Given Huge Injury Blow In Club World Cup Final

Chelsea might’ve lifted the Club World Cup in style with a dominant 3-0 win over PSG, but not everything went according to plan. As the blue shirts danced in delight and Enzo Maresca celebrated his second major piece of silverware with the club in over two months, one troublesome moment happened in an otherwise perfect evening. Enzo Fernández limping off in evident discomfort just past the hour mark.

It was kind of a blow that they wouldn’t have liked, especially after wrapping up the trophy. Chelsea fans know just how crucial Fernández has become in the middle of the park. As the Argentine slowly made his way off the pitch, what looked like a hamstring issue, you could feel the concern through supporters, staff, and players. 

Fernández’s Exit Overshadows Tactical Masterclass

For a match that was billed as a heavyweight showdown between Europe’s elite and PSG’s star power, Chelsea barely gave the French side a sniff. Palmer was superb as always, especially in the finals with a brace, João Pedro added a third, and Maresca’s men completely outplayed the Ligue 1 giants. The red card to João Neves helped, but the damage was already done before PSG went down to 10 or even half-time.

However, between all that brilliance, Fernández’s substitution around the 65th minute stole a different kind of attention. He had been moving awkwardly for a few minutes, stretching before finally going down and signaling to the bench. Rather than risk making things worse, Maresca played it safe and brought him off, with Andrey Santos coming in to see out the game.

Fernández didn’t disappear into the tunnel, though. He stayed on the sidelines, involved, and was even seen celebrating passionately and crying tears of joy with his teammates after the final whistle. That, at least, offers some hope that it didn’t look like the kind of injury that would immediately rule him out for months. Hamstring issues, however, can be tricky, and Chelsea will want clarity as soon as possible.

With Palace on the Horizon, Chelsea Wait Anxiously

What complicates matters for Chelsea is the timing. The new Premier League season kicks off in just over a month, with Crystal Palace waiting on August 17. Fernández was already in heavy fatigue earlier in the tournament. He reportedly almost fainted during the semi-final clash with Fluminense in the sweltering New York heat, which peaked around 95°F. This suspected muscle issue raises further questions about his condition and whether Chelsea can count on him at the start of the domestic campaign.

It’s worth noting how much of a shift he brings to Chelsea’s midfield. His ability to dictate tempo, break up attacks, and pick out line-breaking passes has made him one of the first names on Maresca’s team sheet. Losing him, even for a few weeks, would be a significant blow. The backup options, including young Andrey Santos, are promising, but none yet offer the same authority and experience that Fernández brings.

Joy, But With a Cautionary Tone

It should’ve been a night for only celebration. Chelsea didn’t just win, they dominated. Palmer was named player of the tournament, Maresca’s tactical decisions worked to perfection, and PSG, a team packed with flair and expectation, were left chasing shadows. Even the likes of Achraf Hakimi were rattled, as seen in a feisty exchange with Fernández in the first half.

But ask any Chelsea fan today what’s on their mind, and most won’t talk about the goals or the clean sheet. They’ll wonder how bad Fernández’s injury is and how long he’ll be out. That’s the weight of his importance to this team. As of now, Chelsea hasn’t confirmed anything official about the injury. The hope is that it was just precautionary and that Fernández was taken off before any severe damage could be done. But the next few days will be telling. Scans, updates, and training participation will give fans and the club more clarity.

Final Thoughts 

If he’s fit for the Palace game, Chelsea can carry the momentum from this Club World Cup victory into the Premier League and the Champions League later on. Maresca will need to shuffle the pack early, perhaps even rethink how he structures that midfield trio if the 24-year-old does get injured. For now, Chelsea fans will wait, fingers crossed, hoping the limp off the pitch was more a precaution than a red flag.