Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has raised serious concerns about the extreme heat conditions during the Club World Cup in the United States, describing the situation as "very dangerous." The 24-year-old, who has played in all six of Chelsea's matches leading to the final against Paris St-Germain, revealed that the heat has been so intense that he felt "dizzy" and had to lie down on the ground during one of the games.

Impact on Players and Gameplay

Fernandez emphasized that playing in such high temperatures not only poses health risks but also affects the quality of the game. "The game, the speed of the game is not the same, everything becomes very slow," he said. This sentiment was echoed by Luis Enrique, PSG manager, who noted that the heat "is not good for the show."

Managerial Concerns

Chelsea's manager, Enzo Maresca, has also voiced his frustrations, stating that it is "impossible" to conduct normal training sessions due to the heat. Despite these challenges, Chelsea has managed to reach the final of the tournament, which has been expanded and now offers lucrative rewards.

Historical Context and Adaptation

Former Germany striker Jurgen Klinsmann, now part of FIFA's technical study group, recalled similar punishing conditions during the 1994 World Cup in Dallas. He stressed that teams must adapt to the conditions, even if they are far from ideal. "The heat is difficult. If you play in 90-degree [Fahrenheit; 32C] heat then you are going to suffer," Klinsmann said.

FIFA's Response

In response to the growing concerns, FIFA has implemented several measures to protect players from the heat, including cooling breaks in 31 out of 54 matches. The organization has also committed to facilitating discussions on heat management and player welfare.

Looking Ahead

As the tournament progresses, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and well-being of the players while maintaining the integrity and excitement of the game. Fernandez and others hope for schedule changes in future tournaments to mitigate the impact of extreme weather conditions.

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