Chelsea’s short preparation for the 2025/26 finished off as strong as it started as they recorded another dominant win, this time over AC Milan.
Enzo Maresca will have actually been a little frustrated to see defender Andrei Coubis sent off in the first half, with him only having a limited amount of time to get his players ready for the new campaign.
However, he will have been delighted to have seen his side race into a 2-0 lead before this even occurred, as Joao Pedro continued his excellent start to life at Stamford Bridge with another goal.
Coubis’ nightmare in West London had actually begun minutes before his red card, as he put the ball past former transfer target Mike Maignan off the back of a Reece James free-kick.
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Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink praises Reece James after Chelsea’s win over AC Milan
Set-pieces are clearly going to be fought over at Chelsea next season, with James’ delivery setting up the opening goal before Cole Palmer hit the post from distance.
The club captain certainly looks favourite to cross the ball, and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was wowed by his delivery that helped get Chelsea on the way towards a dominant victory.
He told DAZN: “We know he’s blessed with a beautiful right-foot, and he’s putting this cross in exactly where it has to go, and unfortunately for the defender he scores an own goal, but it was all about the delivery, well done.”
James is fresh off starring at the Club World Cup for the Blues, and will be hoping that he can push on and enjoy a prolific season at last.
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James looking to get past injury woes
It has been well-documented how much James has struggled to stay fit in recent seasons, with Chelsea suffering as a result for not having one of their best players available.
However, 2025 has been relatively injury-free for the skipper, and he will be hoping this is a theme that continues into the new season.
The Blues are already facing injury problems going into the upcoming campaign, with Levi Colwill set to miss the majority of the campaign due to injury.
They cannot afford to have another member of their back four missing for a prolonged period of time, and James’ early substitution is likely Maresca noting that is the case.