Enzo Maresca admits it is nearly impossible to prepare Chelsea properly due to Philadelphia’s record-breaking heat before facing ES Tunis

As Chelsea gear up for their final group stage match at the FIFA Club World Cup, it’s not their Tunisian opponents causing the biggest headaches—it’s the brutal Philadelphia heatwave that’s making even basic training feel like a survival test.

Training? More Like Just Sweating

Enzo Maresca, Chelsea’s head coach, didn’t sugarcoat it.

Speaking to reporters in Philly, he admitted the team has basically had to put full training on pause.

Why? The city is currently roasting in record-breaking temperatures, with forecasts predicting it could climb past 100°F (about 38°C)—something that hasn’t happened in Philadelphia since 1994.

The squad was required to hold an open training session ahead of Tuesday night’s match against ES Tunis.

So they made do at Subaru Park, home of the local MLS club Philadelphia Union.

But instead of intense drills, the players stuck to light activities.

Two enormous mist-blasting fans were on full blast while most of the team huddled near the only shaded part of the field.

By 11 a.m., it was already 36°C—but with the heat index, it felt more like 42°C.

And it’s only expected to get hotter.

Maresca Says the Heat Is Too Much to Handle

“It’s almost impossible to train,” Maresca said plainly.

“We’re just doing really short sessions now.

The priority is saving energy for the game.”

He added, “It’s not an excuse.

If it’s hot, it’s hot—and today, it’s really hot.

There’s no way to run full drills in this kind of weather.

So we’re doing our best to prepare and just trying to survive the conditions.”

Key Players Feeling the Strain Too

Chelsea’s captain Reece James wasn’t at Monday’s session—he’s under the weather.

And while that might raise concern, it could be a hidden blessing given his past muscle issues.

Levi Colwill was also reportedly ill but still pushed through the sticky morning session.

Sixty Matches Deep and Counting

Chelsea’s clash with ES Tunis marks their 60th competitive fixture of the season—yes, 6-0.

It’s been a long campaign, and Maresca knows this isn’t the time for burnout, especially in sauna-like conditions.

“We’re just doing what we can,” he said.

“The game is what matters, and we’ll give everything we’ve got.”

Next Stop: Knockouts?

If Chelsea can weather both the heat and ES Tunis, they’ll move forward in the Club World Cup.

But it’s clear that the sweltering Philly sun might be their toughest opponent yet.