Chelsea proved there is still much work to do in pre-season after being thrashed 4-1 by Celtic in their pre-season friendly in the USA. Head coach Enzo Maresca fielded a strong lineup with teenage striker Marc Guiu the only new signing handed a start, while Omari Kellyman and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall were still absent from the game at Notre Dame Stadium.
The Blues began on top but fell behind to a strike from Celtic’s Matt O’Riley from inside the box after 19 minutes. Celtic got a deserved second when Kyogo Furuhashi turned home O’Riley’s cross for a tap-in before half-time and goals from Luis Palma and Michael Johnston piled on the misery.
Christopher Nkunku’s late penalty was a mere consolation, with Maresca’s dismal side well beaten. Express Sport assesses how the Chelsea starting XI performed following the opening 45 minutes of their pre-season clash in the USA…
Robert Sanchez: 4/10
On the day where Chelsea finalised a deal to sign £21million goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, Sanchez needed a performance to prove he can be Maresca’s No. 1. The Spaniard made a couple of smart stops, and then an outrageous one to deny Kyogo, to keep the score at 1-0. But in the second half, his distribution was appalling and played a part in the third goal. Replaced by Lucas Bergstrom.
Reece James: 5/10
In his new inverted role under Maresca, the right-back was allowed to venture forward in the middle and leave the defensive duties to those behind him. But the 24-year-old didn’t look overly comfortable in such a role, although it’s still very early days. Replaced by Malo Gusto after 67 minutes.
Wesley Fofana: 3/10
Showed silky feet in possession with a risky take-on to take two players out of the game, which is exactly what Maresca wants from his defenders. But when it came to the defending, the Frenchman was too slow to close down O’Riley and looked at sea every time Celtic ventured forward. Taken off at half time.
Benoit Badiashile: 3/10
Exposed early on as Kyogo ran through completely unmarked through the middle but fortunately missed his chance. Continued to struggle to keep with his marker throughout the half and looked the most expendable of the back three. Gave the ball away
Levi Colwill: 3/10
Formed a back three in possession with Fofana and Badiashile, and looked assured with the ball at his feet. But he wasn’t alert for the Celtic opener and every single dangerous attack came down his side. Maresca needs to rethink his role, because it didn’t work at all.
Romeo Lavia: 5/10
Another crucial glimpse of the £58m man after managing less than hour of game time in 2023-24. Nothing too extraordinary, but shirked his defensive duties to leave the backline exposed. Moved to a more defensive role after Fofana’s substitution and taken off after 67 minutes.
Carney Chukwuemeka: 5/10
Started in a deeper central midfield role and flourished with the ball at his feet. Then missed a golden chance to put the Blues ahead. But generally looked bright and one of the few to impress in an otherwise torrid 45 minutes for the team.
Noni Madueke: 5/10
Looked quick off his heels to set up an early chance for Nkunku. Otherwise, the winger was frustrated by his team-mates failure to find him free on the right flank. Gave it everything in the second half to find a goal, can’t fault his effort.
Christopher Nkunku: 5/10
Early chance to open the scoring but his powerful header was well saved by Schmeichel. Then missed from close range after scuffing his effort on the dry pitch. Chelsea will expect better finishes from a player of his quality but he was lively throughout.
Mykhaylo Mudryk: 4/10
First appearance of pre-season and looked sharp as he lofted a ball into Nkunku’s path. Faded badly as Chelsea focused their efforts down the right flank and didn’t help Colwill enough defensively. Hooked at the break after his anonymous showing.
Marc Guiu: 6/10
Handed another chance to shine leading the line, the 18-year-old showed some nice touches and didn’t look daunted by the occasion. Unlucky not to win a penalty after being sent through on goal, before seeing the follow-up saved. The Spaniard almost found the net in the second half after shrugging off his marker but shot straight at Schmeichel again.
Substitutes
Raheem Sterling: 7/10
Nearly made an immediate impact one minute after coming off the bench but struck against the woodwork. The winger continued to terrorise Anthony Ralston down the left and only he knows how he didn’t score, but he did win a late penalty. Surely, he has played himself into Maresca’s plans after this impressive cameo.
Lesley Ugochukwu: 5/10
A rather unassuming performance from the Frenchman as he struggled to impose himself on the game like he did against Wrexham.
Malo Gusto: 5/10
Not the best cameo from the right-back with both goals coming from his side
Andrey Santos: 5/10
Not really involved in the centre of midfield.
Tosin Adarabioyo: 4/10
Left wanting as Johnston raced through and made it 4-0. Clearly not up to fitness yet.
Lucas Bergstrom: N/A
Angelo: N/A
Renato Veiga: N/A