Photo by Ayush Kumar/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Photo by Ayush Kumar/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
While results are not the most important thing from pre-season, the Chelsea squad are now under pressure to deliver a victory after defeats to Tottenham and Juventus.
Xabi Alonso has now started tactical work with the Chelsea squad, and will already have an idea of which individuals can help him during the Premier League campaign.
The Blues face AC Milan in Indonesia, with a number of former Chelsea players including Christopher Nkunku looking to make an impact against their old side.
Chelsea player ratings vs Juventus
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Three Chelsea players who are under pressure vs AC Milan
With Chelsea getting closer to having the whole squad available again, The Chelsea Chronicle have named three players who are under pressure to perform against the Serie A side.
Wesley Fofana
Chelsea have already signed Maxence Lacroix, and currently have a lot of options to play centre-back around Wesley Fofana.
After a dismal 2025/26 campaign, the Frenchman is desperate to bounce back and prove himself to Alonso, although has not looked comfortable so far during pre-season.
With his fellow Frenchman favourite to start against Fulham, Fofana is up against it to earn a starting place in the side for the upcoming season.
Chelsea v Juventus - Pre-Season Friendly
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Romeo Lavia
Alonso preferred to start teenager Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli over Romeo Lavia in their last friendly against Juventus, a damning indictment of how he sees the midfielder right now.
The Belgian’s injury record will always work against him, although he has looked impressive whenever he has featured for the Blues during this tour.
Lavia’s Chelsea career has not properly got going yet though, leaving him desperate to make an impact that will force the manager to see him as a key player next season.
Cole Palmer
A small injury kept Cole Palmer out of the last friendly, but he still has a lot to do to get back to the levels he showed at Stamford Bridge a couple of years ago.
A rare summer off will have been a major boost for the England international as he looks to get back to full fitness, however he still needs to show he remains the star of the squad after the addition of Morgan Rogers.
If fit to face Milan, Palmer will be looking to get a dominant display under his belt to add confidence to the rest of the squad that he is ready for a big season at Stamford Bridge.