Chelsea’s participation in the Club World Cup has forced them to sacrifice a significant portion of the upcoming preseason. Despite the commitment to taking the competition seriously, the team also used the opportunity to experiment and fill the gap in preparations for the next season.

Unfortunately, the experiment conducted in the match against Flamengo did not go as planned. The team suffered a significant collapse, going from a position of control to conceding two goals in just six minutes. Nicolas Jackson's red card further complicated matters, effectively ending the match prematurely.

Enzo Maresca did not provide details on the nature of the experiment, but the lineup included Reece James in a three-man midfield with Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández, while Cole Palmer returned to the right flank. While the idea seemed promising on paper, the execution fell short, highlighting the risks of experimentation.

Maresca acknowledged the impact of the critical six minutes that changed the course of the game. Despite a strong start to the second half, the team's fortunes shifted drastically after conceding two quick goals and receiving a red card. The experimental structure was intended to provide more options for the upcoming season but ultimately failed to deliver the desired results.

While the defeat against Flamengo will not hinder Chelsea's progression to the knockout rounds of the competition, it may result in a tougher matchup against Bayern Munich. The team will need to regroup and focus on the upcoming game against ES Tunis to secure their spot in the next stage.

Lessons have been learned from this experience, and Chelsea will look to bounce back stronger in the remaining matches of the Club World Cup.