After an abysmal first-half performance against Real Madrid, Chelsea will be hoping to end their International Champions Cup campaign with a morale-boosting win against AC Milan, this Thursday.
Many of Chelsea’s squad were brought back to reality against Real Madrid, as they conceded three quick-fire first-half goals in front of a record attendance at ‘the Big House’.
This included the likes of burgeoning academy products Ola Aina – who struggled with the surging runs of Brazilian left-back Marcelo, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek – as he and Bertrand Traore failed to influence the game up front.
Meanwhile, Serbian midfielder Nemanja Matic’s future is hanging in the balance, after an appalling display against Los Blancos – in which he failed to control the tempo of the game with a lethargic and apathetic performance, that harked back to the conceited and narcissistic attitude he held last season.
Newly reformed Brazilian midfielder Oscar was publicly lambasted by coach Antonio Conte for his poor work-rate throughout the game – and his future at Stamford Bridge will also be contested as a result.
On the other hand, Chelsea’s second-half substitutes were bright and dynamic as they cut down the three-goal deficit of the previous half – with the game eventually ending 3-2 in Madrid’s favour. Both Nathaniel Chalobah and Michy Batshuayi laid on superb assists for the returning Belgium winger Eden Hazard – as he grabbed himself two late goals in his first appearance under Conte.
Colombian winger Juan Cuadrado was as direct and incisive as ever, and his creativity in the final third may well help him in his quest to ascertain the coveted right-wing position – with Brazilian winger Willian far less prolific in front of goal than his South-American counterpart.
AC Milan were also beaten in their penultimate game, with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool – the team we had beaten in our first game of the tournament, recording a resounding 2-0 victory over the Rossoneri. The Italians will be missing defender Rodrigo Ely through a thigh injury he suffered during training and French forward Jeremy Menez – who left the club to complete a move to Ligue 1 side Bordeaux.
For Chelsea, there are no injury concerns coming into the game, although Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas is available again after having served a one-game suspension against Real Madrid. New signing, N’Golo Kante may also feature at some stage of the game.
The online soccer odds suggest Chelsea are set for a win, but pre-season is notoriously difficult to predict.
You can watch the full game and highlights on Chelsea TV at 02:00am UK time (local time 8:00pm).
