toptop
Chelsea
rounded off their truncated pre-season preparations with an emphatic 4-1 win
over 10-man AC Milan at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues' 2024/25 campaign finished with the Club World Cup final only 28 days
earlier and their second friendly came just 48 hours after the first, a 2-0
victory over Bayer Leverkusen.
An own goal from Andrei Coubis, two from Liam Delap and one from Joao Pedro
sealed an impressive victory for Enzo Maresca's side.
There was concern, however, for defender Trevoh Chalobah, who rolled his ankle
early in the second half, particularly given the Blues recently saw Levi Colwill
sustain an ACL injury.
Speaking to 5 after the game, however, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said there was
no issue with Chalobah, which suggested his substitution was precautionary
rather than anything else.
In their final friendly before the Premier League opener against Crystal Palace
- which is live on Sky Sports next Sunday - there was no sign of any fatigue for
the Blues.
Reece James' free-kick hit the feet of Andrei Coubis and crossed the line before
he had time to do anything about it and, within two minutes, Joao Pedro lost his
marker and guided nodded Pedro Neto's curling ball home with ease.
It got worse for Milan when Coubis was deservedly shown a straight red card on
18 minutes after clumsily hauling Joao Pedro down when he was through on goal.
With the visitors offering very little, Chelsea probably could have added more
before the break; Cole Palmer hit the post with one free-kick, saw another
effort go inches wide, then sent a scissor-kick volley across the face of goal.
Instead, they slowed the play down and conserved energy in the latest UK
heatwave.
And to sum up a largely-forgettable first half, the Serie A giants had a tidy
Rafael Leao header ruled out for offside in the build-up.
Shortly after Chalobah's aforementioned exit, substitute Estevao Willian won a
penalty after being bundled over, which Liam Delap hammered low to goalkeeper
Mike Maignan's right.
How Chelsea lined up...
Chelsea: Sanchez, James (Gusto, 61), Chalobah (Acheampong, 55), Tosin, Cucurella
(Hato, 73), Caicedo (Essugo, 73), Fernandez (Santos, 61), Neto (Walsh, 73),
Palmer (Estevao, 61), Gittens (George, 73), Joao Pedro (Delap, 61).
Unused subs: Jorgensen, Slonina, Anselmino, Rak-Sakyi, Antwi.
The lead was quickly reduced to two again, though, as Youssouf Fofana beat
Robert Sanchez at his near post to give the travelling Milan contingent
something to shout about.
But Chelsea showed they are ready to hit the ground running next week when Delap
scored his second with a clinical first-time finish after Andrey Santos'
sumptuous pass to tee him him.
Joao Pedro happy for Delap
Chelsea forward Joao Pedro speaking to Channel 5:
"I am very happy to score at Stamford Bridge. I think I enjoyed this pre-season,
two goals in two games. Now, we need to rest and start well in the Premier
League."
Asked about applauding the goals by Liam Delap and the competition between them:
"I don't want to say competition, I think it is very good for Chelsea to have
both strikers at a good level. In the last game, he did not score. Today, he
scored two goals. I am very happy for him."
James: Everyone is excited
Chelsea captain Reece James speaking to 5:
"It is always a sign when you lift a trophy. We finished last season really
strong with two trophies. It is a good feeling at the moment.
"We are confident. We are world champions. We have had a really difficult period
in the last two years and we have come a long way. This season, everyone is
excited. We are in a good position."