Devastating heatwave puts Chelsea training on hold: 'It's impossible...'

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has described normal training sessions as "impossible" due to the extreme heat in Philadelphia, where the team is participating in the Club World Cup. The city is under a "code red" severe heat warning, with temperatures soaring to 37C, but feeling more like a scorching 45C due to 45% humidity, according to accuweather.com. This intense weather marked the first time in 13 years that Philadelphia's temperatures were predicted to exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8C) on Monday.

The grueling conditions have forced Maresca to drastically alter Chelsea's preparation. "This morning's session has been very, very, very short," Maresca stated, explaining that longer sessions would deplete energy needed for the upcoming matches. "It's been just about tomorrow's game, planning for tomorrow, and that's it. No more than that." He acknowledged the challenge, adding, "As you can see, it's not easy in these conditions with these temperatures. We are going to try to do our best."

Local public authorities in Philadelphia have issued warnings advising people to avoid "work in high-heat environments" and "strenuous physical activity." Despite these warnings, some matches in FIFA's newly expanded tournament have kicked off in the middle of the afternoon, precisely when temperatures are at their peak.

Chelsea is not alone in grappling with these challenging conditions. Other clubs have faced similar problems, sparking broader concerns about the United States' suitability to co-host the World Cup at this time next year. Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac reported "sweating like I've just come out of a sauna" after his team's match in 32C heat in Cincinnati. Atletico Madrid midfielder Marcos Llorente described the conditions as "terribly hot" after a 4-0 defeat to Paris St-Germain in Pasadena, adding, "my toes were sore, my nails were hurting - it's incredible."

For Chelsea, the heat adds another layer of pressure to their crucial final Group D match against Tunisia's ES Tunis. Following a 3-1 loss to Brazilian club Flamengo, the Blues must avoid defeat to qualify as runners-up, which would set up a last-16 tie against powerhouses like Bayern Munich, Benfica, or Boca Juniors. Adding to Maresca's woes, captain Reece James is a doubt due to illness, and Nicolas Jackson is suspended after receiving a red card last week, consequently being left out of Monday's open training session.

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To combat the sweltering conditions, Chelsea's medical staff are on high alert during the "very short" training sessions held at Subaru Park. The team has implemented several measures: crates of iced water bottles are readily available around the pitch, drinks are offered at every possible interval between drills, and large fans blowing water spray are positioned at the sides of the training area. Players are also training in the only partially shaded section of the open stadium in Chester, Pennsylvania, just outside Philadelphia. Defender Marc Cucurella acknowledged the difficulty, stating, "It takes some getting used to, and it's true we played a lot of games last season, but we know we have a job to do here, and we want to go far in the tournament." The extreme heat presents a significant test for the teams, raising questions about player safety and performance in future international tournaments held in similar climates.