Chelsea summer signing makes instant impact with debut goal
Giulia Dragoni needed only nine minutes to make her first major impression in Chelsea colours, scoring on her debut during Saturday’s 7-0 victory over Auckland FC.
The 19-year-old replaced Sjoeke Nüsken at half-time at Eden Park and reacted quickly when Alyssa Thompson’s effort was blocked, finishing Chelsea’s fifth goal of the morning.
It came after Aggie Beever-Jones had put the game beyond Auckland with a rapid first-half hat-trick, as covered in ReadChelsea’s full Auckland FC 0-7 Chelsea match report.
The opposition will become considerably tougher as pre-season develops, but Dragoni could hardly have asked for a better introduction.
Dragoni strikes in her Blues debut 🔵
What a way to make your mark for @ChelseaFCW, as Giulia Dragoni makes it 5-0 in Auckland 🔥
Watch #CHEvAKL live on Paramount+ 📺 pic.twitter.com/xskFeMENK9
— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) August 8, 2026
Chelsea signed Dragoni from Barcelona earlier this month after two productive seasons on loan with Roma.
AS reported that Dragoni scored 14 goals and provided six assists across her two campaigns in Rome, with her development culminating in being named Serie A’s best midfielder last season.
Those numbers underline that Chelsea have not simply signed another player for the future.
Dragoni is still only 19, but she already has senior international experience with Italy and has spent several years developing around elite European clubs.
Barcelona’s own record of Dragoni’s development shows she reached their senior side as a teenager, having first moved to Spain after progressing through Inter Milan’s system.
Her Chelsea debut offered an early glimpse of what attracted Sonia Bompastor.
Dragoni looked comfortable receiving possession in midfield, moved the ball quickly and was willing to arrive around the penalty area when Chelsea attacked.
The goal rewarded exactly that instinct.
Thompson created the initial danger, but Dragoni had anticipated where the loose ball could fall and was in position to punish Auckland.
Chelsea midfield competition will be fierce
Breaking into Bompastor’s strongest side will not be straightforward.
Chelsea already have established midfield options including Wieke Kaptein, Keira Walsh and Nüsken, while the squad is again expected to compete across the Women’s Super League, Champions League and domestic cups.
That competition makes pre-season opportunities valuable.
Beever-Jones made the biggest statement in Auckland and ReadChelsea has already analysed what her 13-minute hat-trick could mean for her role this season.
Dragoni now has an early marker of her own.
One goal against an invitational Auckland side will not determine her place in Bompastor’s plans, but Chelsea knew they were signing one of Europe’s most highly-rated young midfielders.
Saturday showed why.
Chelsea travel to Sydney next to face the A-League Women All-Stars on Wednesday, when Dragoni should receive another opportunity to build on an impressive first appearance.
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