A Chelsea player is unhappy after being axed from Enzo Maresca's squad for the Club World Cup as four others have also been left out.
Chelsea ended the 2024/25 campaign with Champions League football after finishing fourth in the Premier League table.
They also secured a major trophy following their victory over Real Betis in the Conference League final.
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But there's no respite for Maresca's team as they jet out to the United States for this month's Club World Cup.
The Blues play Mexican outfit Leon, Brazilian club Flamengo and Tunisian side ES Tunis in the group stage phase.
Chelsea's main stars such as Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke and Enzo Fernandez, among others, will be part of the club's Club World Cup campaign.
However, Maresca has decided to omit a string of players, including Kendry Paez, who signed the club from Independiente del Valle in 2023.
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Paez was eligible to join Chelsea this summer as a deal was struck before he turned 18.
He was expecting to link up with his new teammates for the Club World Cup until a last-minute change.
According to Ben Jacobs, Chelsea have determined the budding Ecuadorian midfielder is not part of their squad, with a loan move to Strasbourg anticipated.
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Paez is set to move to Europe to begin training and getting used to the physicality ahead of moving to Chelsea in the future.
The teenager is understood to be 'disappointed' as his plans have changed.
Paez isn't the only omission from Maresca's party as he has also not included Raheem Sterling, Joao Felix, Axel Disasi and Djordje Petrovic, according to the Telegraph.
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The exclusion of goalkeeper Petrovic, who spent last season on loan at Strasbourg, will come as a surprise to Chelsea fans considering the club did not sign Mike Maignan following their failed attempt.
Despite the hectic schedule, the Italian head coach is happy to be participating at the Club World Cup.
"I’m happy [to be there] especially because it’s a tournament that brings together the top 32 teams in the world. So, it’s very exciting to take part in such a huge competition," he told DAZN.
"You also have the opportunity to face other top coaches and some world-class teams. We were there - in North America - last summer, and it was great. There were so many fans there, and it will be another opportunity for them to come and watch us and for us to meet them. So, there’s no doubt it will be a great occasion."
Topics: Chelsea, FIFA Club World Cup, Football
Nasir Jabbar