Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea turned out their best performance of pre-season to beat AC Milan 3-0, with there far more winners than losers from the 90 minutes.
The club’s superstars, Joao Pedro and Moises Caicedo, were on target with the goals, although there were positive performances across the pitch for the Blues.
Xabi Alonso lined his side up in a back three for the first time, with the current players and new signings looking perfectly suited to that system.
Winners and losers from Chelsea’s 3-0 win over AC Milan
The Chelsea Chronicle has named who the big winners and losers were from the 3-0 victory in Indonesia.
Wesley Fofana
Just when some began to lose faith in Wesley Fofana playing a regular role this season, the Frenchman put in a commanding performance in Alonso’s new system.
After a poor season, Fofana is looking to prove critics wrong and get back to his best, and he has shown his manager that he can certainly play a role in a three-at-the-back system.
If Alonso is looking to cut down on the amount of centre-backs he has, Fofana is one of those who should be sticking around.
Chelsea FC v AC Milan - Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Josh Acheampong
Another player who looks perfectly suited to the three-at-the-back system, Josh Acheampong gave a timely reminder of why most European sides want to sign him.
It was the youngster who kept Rafa Leao completely quiet when he was on the pitch, and allowed the wing-backs to attack.
Acheampong is far too good for Chelsea to let leave because they don’t give him minutes, and this is the season his talent needs to be rewarded.
Pedro Neto
A new role for Pedro Neto, playing at wing-back with the security of Acheampong playing behind him down the right.
He did his defensive work well, but also still influenced play in attack, providing the assist for Joao Pedro’s second goal.
The second half of last season did not work out for Neto down the wing, but he could find a new regular role in this side in the wing-back position.
Xabi Alonso
Alonso faced some criticism for the two defeats to Juventus and Tottenham, but he got his tactics and system spot on today.
Chelsea’s players and new signings look perfectly suited to the back three he used so well at Bayer Leverkusen.
This was the first game it was used by the Blues, and should now become the regular system Chelsea play in to start the Premier League season.
Nicolas Jackson
It would be easy for Nicolas Jackson to look uninterested in this pre-season campaign, with a move away from the club still being discussed.
Today, he was anything but that. The striker hit the post and was close to picking up an assist for Cole Palmer.
It remains to be seen what the future holds for Jackson, but he is doing his stock no harm with a committed performance against Milan.
Chelsea v Juventus - Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Joseph Dinesh Daniel/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Losers
Liam Delap
Liam Delap didn’t get on the pitch against Milan, but suffered as a result following Pedro and Jackson’s performances.
The duo, as well as now Danny Welbeck, look to be ahead of the Englishman in the pecking order up front, raising concern for him ahead of the new campaign.
It is looking more and more that a move away from Stamford Bridge would be the best port of call for Delap, who didn’t set the world alight in his first campaign here.
It feels harsh to say, but Mykhailo Mudryk still looks a long way off the ability to feature for the Chelsea first team squad.
His cameo off the bench was messy and littered with inaccurate passes and crosses, which can be allowed following nearly two years away from the pitch.
However, his ability before his suspension was already leading to questions about his future, which looks as if it would be best at another club for next season.