Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Chelsea and Juventus played out a closely-fought battle in Hong Kong on Wednesday afternoon as Xabi Alonso’s men eventually lost 1-0, and below are our player ratings.
Both sides named strong sides to play at the Kai Tak Stadium, with a big attendance watching on. But Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill were missing for Chelsea, picking up minor injuries or knocks beforehand.
Alonso included Danny Welbeck, Geovany Quenda, Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli and Moises Caicedo in his starting XI against a strong Juventus side that were missing signings Randal Kolo Muani and Kerim Alajbegovic.
Another improved performance with minutes in the legs for some of Alonso’s key men, less than three weeks before the Premier League opener against Fulham on the 24th. Here are our player ratings:
Chelsea player ratings in narrow defeat to Juventus
Robert Sanchez – 7
Did not have a huge amount to do, but his passing was solid and his decision-making – choosing to go long when under pressure – was spot on. Good save to deny Jeremie Bogle at the end of the first 45.
Marco Palestra – 8
Some excellent overlapping runs and probably the first time we have seen his explosive pace down the right. Linked up well with Geovany Quenda. Missed a good chance on 54 minutes, but his best display.
Chelsea v Juventus - Pre-Season Friendly
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Wesley Fofana – 6
Neat passing, without fault, but did little to excel either. Looked a touch frustrated when coming off, which seems to be fitting with question marks over his attitude. But a solid-enough performance.
Tosin Adarabioyo – 6
Might not have been starting had Colwill been okay to play, but Tosin did what he had to do amid plenty of criticism from supporters online. Neat passing like Fofana, but Juventus failed to really trouble Chelsea.
Jorrel Hato – 6
Very solid. Kept the ball well in the first half despite coming up against Andrea Cambiaso on Juventus’ right. Good defending early in the second half to use his body. Did little to really excite Alonso.
Moises Caicedo – 8
A delicious array of passing, almost as if he was playing like an Ecuadorian Xabi Alonso. Long and short, Caicedo created problems for Juventus. Perhaps he will be given more license to create from deep.
Chelsea v Juventus - Pre-Season Friendly
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Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli – 5
Perhaps a step up that came as a shock to the system for the Aussie-born 16-year-old. Not that he did much wrong, but Nicoll-Jazuli struggled to get involved, misplacing the odd pass when in good positions.
Geovany Quenda – 7
Quenda has a huge amount of raw talent; it’s clear to see. Instantly direct, always looking to create, bags of pace and a gorgeous first touch. However, his delivery from set-pieces was awful in the first half.
Joao Pedro – 6
Playing in a slightly deeper role with Palmer absent, Pedro linked up superbly with Caicedo and got the Blues on the front foot. Bit of aggression with Gatti off the ball, but Juventus dealt with him well.
Jamie Gittens – 7
Seemed to be on the receiving end of a few nasty tackles from Juventus defenders early on. But after such a difficult 2025-26, it was another promising performance from a player who looks reborn after injuries.
Danny Welbeck – 5
A touch rusty from the new signing, who got himself involved when dropping deep but lost the ball more than he kept it. Taken off at half-time but his praise for teammates during the first 45 is why he’s joined.
Chelsea v Juventus - Pre-Season Friendly
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Subs:
Mike Penders – 6 (’46)
Interesting that Penders was brought on at half-time, suggesting Alonso is yet to pick between his two main goalkeepers. Dealt well with a couple of efforts, but could not stop Edon Zhegrova’s gorgeous goal.
Estevao – 7 (’46)
Instant energy and flair from the Brazilian. Some gorgeous touches and instantly made things happen for Chelsea, but he died off a touch after Juventus took the lead. Overhit pass on 85 minutes, good chance.
Mamadou Sarr – 5 (’46)
Few misplaced passes from the Senegal defender, a bit nervy. Did not get close enough to Zhegrova for his goal, and was beaten in a couple of duels. With Alonso getting rid of defenders, he didn’t do enough.
Nicolas Jackson – 7 (’46, off on ’82)
His first outing for Chelsea since the Club World Cup semi-finals. Good early run to feed Palestra, plenty of energy, and looks fit. Cynically taken down on 59 minutes, struggled after Alonso’s 66th-min changes.
Chelsea v Juventus - Pre-Season Friendly
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Liam Delap – 7 (’66)
Good run from inside his own half that almost resulted in a Chelsea corner. But with Welbeck starting and Jackson coming on before him, the writing is on the wall. Good battling cameo, but an exit is inevitable.
Dario Essugo – 7 (’66)
Given the armband after coming on, Essugo was fortunate to escape injury when Gleison Bremer almost caught him with a high foot. Right in the thick of it, throwing himself into tackles and good passing.
Josh Acheampong – 5 (’66)
Tidy on the ball but had little time to do much other than that.
Aaron Anselmino – 7 (’66)
Not the first time he has come on at left-back and impressed. Dealt incredibly well with a long ball over the top of him to intercept and put out of play.
Chelsea player ratings vs Juventus
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Dastan Satpayev – 6 (’66)
Snapshot from the edge of the box on 83 minutes was well-directed but lacked the venom required to go in. But another brief cameo for Satpayev is more proof that Alonso really fancies him.
Romeo Lavia – 6 (’66)
Instantly involved when playing the ball through to Jackson from midfield. Bit of a scrap with Juventus captain Gleison Bremer inside the final 10 minutes after Dario Essugo was fouled. Prompted a scuffle.
Tayo Subuloye – 5 (’66)
Did very little of note.
Mykhailo Mudryk – N/A (’82)
Came on to a wonderful reception, which included applause from the entire Chelsea bench. A couple of nice passes but in all honesty, had little time to make any kind of impact, with the game dying off.
Chelsea v Juventus - Pre-Season Friendly
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