Flamengo came into the match yesterday eleven games into their domestic campaign and sitting top of the Brasileirão.

Chelsea, in contrast, were visibly leggy, having played over 50 matches in 11 months across continents.

The physical mismatch was evident. As Pedro Neto put it post-match: “They had more desire than us to win the game.”

It was a deflating yet informative loss. Enzo Maresca himself hinted in a post-match interview that his attempts to try something different lacked the necessary impact.

Enigmatic Cole Palmer went missing – even during his recent goal drought, he usually manages to command attention and influence attacking phases.

This was not the case from his less favoured right-wing position.

Let’s take a look at the biggest issues and reasons why Chelsea lost last night.

Caicedo’s Early Booking

We all know Moises Caicedo is usually unflappable, sometimes even better when on a yellow card.

Against Flamengo the Ecuadorian was cautioned in the first half for shouting in Jorginho’s face after the former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder feigned injury from minimal contact.

To his credit, Caicedo has a bit of that South American fire in him, but he needs to ensure his emotions don’t override his judgement while playing in a position that demands hard tackles and constantly deals with fast transitions.

This was evident during Flamengo’s attack in the 24th minute. They progressed quickly through central midfield and Caicedo rushed to close down the man in possession who knocked it past him.

Caicedo had to pull out from an attempt to win the ball to avoid a second yellow, in which Flamengo forced a corner off that move.

Tactical Setup & System Trial

Enzo Maresca trialled a new 4-3-3 shape, without inverted full-backs.

This allowed him to play three natural central midfielders – something seen in his Leicester days but for the first time for Chelsea.

However, this system left no room for a natural ten, pushing Cole Palmer to right wing, while captain Reece James was chosen to be the third centre mid.

James can play there in an inverted auxiliary function but with Dario Essugo looking sharp in his LAFC cameo and one of Ligue 1’s top midfielders last season Andrey Santos both being unused on the bench, Maresca’s choice raised eyebrows.

Palmer looked completely out of sorts: four touches, zero passes completed in the opening 25 minutes.

His full match stats weren’t much of an improvement and Maresca admitted post-match that his changed system was an intentional experiment to prepare “new options” for next season.

This is understandable – he hasn’t hidden his frustration with transfer business being concluded late last summer and this year we won’t even have a ‘proper’ pre-season where results carry less weight.

A few accusations have been made of the European teams, including Chelsea, not taking the CWC as seriously as perhaps they should.

The lineups suggest not, and the Brazilian teams are just ahead in terms of fitness and adaptability to conditions.

Botafogo defeated PSG a few nights ago in a stunning 1-0 win, an example of just how much of a threat the Brazilian sides are.

Square Pegs: Reece James & Palmer

Reece James was ineffective in midfield and visibly uncomfortable in performing the role.

Palmer’s natural instincts were blunted wide right, with more defensive duties and limited central access.

My previous piece focused on Maresca’s hallmark – central progression.

That was almost non-existent with his set-up in this game. Pedro Neto’s opener came from a defensive mistake on the counter.

Both players can operate in these roles but were made worse by the structural changes – a common criticism of Maresca’s tactical flexibility: forcing square pegs into round holes.

Right-Back Reality Check: Gusto – Right Side, Wrong Answer

A familiar defensive issue resurfaced in Philadelphia – Malo Gusto’s vulnerability at the back post.

Flamengo’s first goal stemmed from a cross delivered from Chelsea’s left-hand side.

Gusto misjudged the flight of the ball and was outjumped at the far post, allowing Flamengo to head it back across goal and into the net.

The second goal? Almost a carbon copy. This time from a corner on the same left flank, again headed back across from Chelsea’s blind side, and again finished at close range.

Gusto wasn’t directly involved in the third goal, but by then the damage was done.

It’s a recurring pattern this season – back-post weakness on Chelsea’s right – and Gusto has been at the centre of several of those moments.

While the Frenchman offers pace, drive, and attacking quality, his aerial ability, defensive anticipation, and positioning under pressure continue to raise questions.

In a team built on tight margins, and under a coach like Maresca who places enormous value on control, that flaw feels increasingly unsustainable.

It’s time to acknowledge that Reece James should still be Chelsea’s first-choice right-back.

The injury concerns are largely historic. The captain has been more available this season than in either of the two previous ones, thanks in large part to Maresca’s cautious load management.

His fitness is no longer the same red flag it once was. Whether inverting into midfield or forming a third centre-back when Cucurella pushes high or tucks into midfield, James remains Chelsea’s most complete and balanced option.

When he doesn’t play at right-back, Chelsea lose both defensive stability and technical progression – and opponents are beginning to notice

Another Jackson Red Card

If his dismissal in a critical run of fixtures towards the end of the domestic season was a necessary learning experience for Nico, what was this?

Poor judgement again – a reckless challenge and a fully deserved red card just four minutes after coming on in place of his competing striker Delap.

The Newcastle red card arguably derailed Chelsea’s UCL push, forcing tactical reshuffles during a key run-in.

His playing colleagues were rumoured to be furious at his actions directly contributing to reduced squad bonuses – with some sources suggesting UCL qualification was worth a 20-25% wage increase across the board.

His dismissal in Philadelphia will do nothing to improve his stature within the hierarchy.

Already there are whispers of his career being affected – Juventus and Napoli have been reported as in talks with Jackson’s camp ahead of a potential move this summer.

Juventus have been linked with Strasbourg’s Emmanuel Emegha in recent weeks, but as Fabrizio Romano tweeted in the afternoon of the following day to the Flamengo loss, Chelsea consider Emegha as an important part of their attack for the 2026-27 season.

Does this mean Juve are more likely to look seriously at Jackson? Keep an eye on Napoli’s pursuit of Liverpool’s Darwin Núñez, Jackson could provide a cheaper alternative.

Robert Sánchez: Regression or Reminder?

In the first half, Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez notably refrained from central passes into midfield, instead preferring lateral passes to centre-backs Trevoh Chalobah and Levi Colwill.

This was refreshing, given previous issues with risky central passes from goalkeeper to the midfield and attack.

Since March, the Spaniard has been largely faultless. Despite several high-profile mistakes earlier in the season, his consistency since March earned deserved praise.

However, against Flamengo, the 27-year-old looked rusty, flustered and uncomfortable on the ball.

His aimless, weak-footed clearances gave no respite to the Chelsea defence.

John Obi Mikel, a fervent critic of Chelsea in recent times, especially when it comes to Jackson, was again strongly critical of Sánchez after the match on Dazn.

“He’s not the keeper you win titles with” was a notable quote. It’s hard to disagree with that based on this showing, and the miserable inconsistency that has summed up his Chelsea career.

Could a Poor Showing at the CWC Actually Be Helpful?

A poor CWC may force Sporting Directors to re-engage AC Milan for their goalkeeper, Mike Maignan.

A difference of just a few million Euros – a gap that might now be bridged due to the inconsistency of Sanchez.

Plus, yet another erratic display from Jackson might reframe the forward situation for the Sporting Directors.

Could we see acceleration in the pursuit of Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike or perhaps a rekindling of interest in Newcastle’s Alexander Isak – reportedly on Liverpool’s radar.

Sometimes a setback forces smarter recruitment decisions and Maresca was keen to point out during the week that a left-sided winger should be a priority.

Still, we must keep perspective. Without wanting to sound like European snobs when it comes to the Club World Cup, this is only Chelsea’s third loss in 15 games.

This is a record that most would be proud of at the top level. Flamengo were better prepared and fresher. Chelsea looked off it but this shouldn’t be mistaken for a meltdown or crisis.

It was a performance was more of a signal of what needs upgrading, rather than the start of a catastrophic downfall.

This was no flight, all feathers. The feathers that need replacing have now been clearly exposed.

Smart senior acquisitions are no longer optional – a striker, left-winger, and goalkeeper are all essential.