FOOTBALL

Chelsea finished the Pre-season on a positive note

Chelsea optimistically finished their Pre-season after drawing with Italian giant Inter Milan in their final Pre-season friendlies on their home turf, Stamford Bridge. Enzo Maresca managed to secure one win in his first six games in charge with Chelsea Football Club. In their final pre-season friendlies, the Blues drew 1-1 with Italian side Inter Milan to finish their pre-season campaign. After losing two back-to-back games against Manchester City and Real Madrid respectively, the Blues held with Inter after a late 1-1 draw.

Chelsea drew with Inter Milan

Chelsea started the match on a positive note with Inter Milan, continuously creating chances for the Blues. But it was Inter who broke the deadlock after Marcus Thuram’s powerful shot hit the back of the net. After a low press from the Chelsea side, Inter Milan defender Bisseck came forward on the pitch and passed the ball to Correa who found Thuram. Thuram took the shot outside the box and scored the opening goal of the match in the 26th minute. So, the inability to press more accurately cost the Chelsea team, and they conceded the goal. This is the 13th goal, that Chelsea conceded in the pre-season in just six games.

However, Chelsea kept knocking on the door to score the Equalizer. However, it was the show of Inter number one Yan Sommer, who made six saves in the match, including the flick by Marc Guiu in the box just before the end of the first half. But it was in the 10th minute of the second half when the Swiss international showed his class. Christopher Nukunku found a free space in the box after when Bisseck’s poor clearance came to him. The freshman went for an acrobatic finish, and it was such a good connection, but Sommer’s stunning reflex denied the Frenchman what could have been one of the best goals for him.

Chelsea kept [pushing hard to find the equalizer and late in the game just before the injury time the Blues came back in the game, thanks to Lesley Ugochukwu’s goal. The Frenchman came off the bench in the 80th minute and scored the equalizer for the Blues. After Inter Milan’s defense failed to clear Cole Palmer’s freekick, the ball came into the path of Ugochukwu and the Frenchman made no mistake.

Palmer and Cucurella are back

Before the start of the match, the Blues showed all their new signings including the latest recruitment Pedro Neto, who joined Chelsea from Wolves with a transfer fee of close to 60M. Euro 2024 winner Marc Cucurella made his first appearance with the Blues since the last season. The Spaniard was on holiday followed by Spain’s triumph in Euro 2024. Chelsea fans were delighted with the return of Marc Cucurella. Same as Cucurella, Cole Palmer also returned to the Chelsea squad, after spending his holiday followed by the Euro 2024. However, still no sign of Ben Chilwell in the starting lineup. Chilwell made only appearances for the Blues in the Pre-season against Wrexham and Club Almeria, and both of them came off the bench. The 27-year-old is still out of the Enzo Maresca current first time and this is not a good sign for the English international.

More Chelsea news

Chelsea are now linked with Joao Felix for a possible move as a part of the deal of English international Conor Gallagher. After Samuel Omorodion refused to join the Blues, the club linked with another Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix. Felix previously played with Chelsea as a loan player under former manager Mauricio Pochettino. Enzo Maresca will start his Premier League journey against current Community holder Manchester City this week at Stamford Bridge.

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