Thiago Silva v Cole Palmer
Thiago Silva turns 41 in September but his timeless leadership skills have played a key role in Fluminense FC’s march to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ semi-finals. While the likes of Jhon Arias, Martinelli and Hercules have grabbed the goals for Fluminense, it is Silva’s defensive dominance that has provided the backbone of the club’s odds-defying progress.
Just two games away from global glory, Silva is now preparing to take on his former club Chelsea FC and their exciting attacking line-up which will be without the suspended Liam Delap. New signing Joao Pedro is likely to make his full debut but it is the back-in-form Cole Palmer whom Silva will have to keep a particularly close eye on.
During Chelsea’s quarter-final victory against Palmeiras, Palmer returned to a central role as an attacking midfielder. After playing on the left and the right of Chelsea’s attack earlier in the tournament, the move paid off with the 23-year-old scoring his first goal of the global showpiece.
After breaking an eight-game scoring drought for club and country, Palmer will look to push on against Fluminense. And the England star’s ability to find space — and his team-mates — will provide a stern test for Silva and Co.
Jhon Arias v Trevoh Chalobah
The Colombia playmaker has been one of the breakout stars of the Club World Cup, having won the Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match award in three of Fluminense’s games. With Martinelli suspended against Chelsea, Arias is expected to become the focal point of Fluminense’s attack.
Aged 27, Arias has been something of a late bloomer in his professional career but he has come into form at just the right time. “He’s received a lot of well-deserved praise and that’s made him more and more confident, because he takes on even more responsibility. He’s having a great tournament,” Fluminense coach Renato Gaucho told FIFA.
With Levi Colwill also suspended for Chelsea, Tosin Adarabioyo is expected to partner Trevoh Chalobah at the heart of the Blues’ defence. Chalobah is as much of an attacking threat as he is on the defensive end, with his pass setting up Palmer for the opener against Palmeiras in the quarter-finals.
Chalobah has shown just how important he is to Enzo Maresca after being sent out on a season-long loan to Crystal Palace before being recalled in January after a series of strong performances. The England international will be determined to remain part of Chelsea’s squad next season and an impressive display against Arias will go a long way to securing his future at the club.
Hercules v Moises Caicedo
Another breakout star of the FIFA Club World Cup, Hercules once again showed his strength by securing the decisive strike for Fluminense against Al Hilal to reach the semi-finals. It was the 24-year-old defensive midfielder’s second goal in as many games.
A shy star, Hercules has acted as a super-sub for Fluminense during the global showpiece. But such has been his impact that he could be given a start against Chelsea, where he will aim to continue his fine goalscoring form.
Moises Caicedo, meanwhile, is expected to make a return to Chelsea’s starting line-up after being suspended for the quarter-final against Palmeiras. The Ecuadorian has been Chelsea’s midfield lynchpin during his time at the club and his presence was much missed against the Brazilians.
Caicedo, who has been keeping himself busy by playing table tennis, is arguably Chelsea’s best tackler and his return allows Enzo Fernandez to move further forward. Chelsea will need to be at their best against an inspired Fluminense side and the battle for control of the ball is likely to prove crucial in this enticing match-up.
