Chelsea’s 4-1 win over AC Milan was the perfect preparation for the Blues ahead of their Premier League return next week, with the Stamford Bridge crowd being treated to the sight of two former players in action.
Despite being on the wrong end of the result, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Fikayo Tomori will have both been happy to be back in West London, with both receiving nice ovations from the home supporters.
The duo could not do much as a rampant Chelsea dominated their second friendly in three days. Joao Pedro and Liam Delap scored three goals combined as they gave Enzo Maresca a selection headache ahead of the game against Crystal Palace.
The Blues will actually have been a little frustrated to see their opponents go down to 10 men early on, however not as frustrated as Loftus-Cheek and Tomori, who had to play the rest of the game a man down.
Chelsea v AC Milan - Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Claudio Villa/AC Milan via Getty Images
Ruben Loftus-Cheek has deep chat with Reece James after Chelsea 4-1 AC Milan
Loftus-Cheek was applauded off when he was substituted in the second half, and was keen to link up with the few of his former teammates who remain at the club after the game.
A video from MaxLondonsFirst shows the midfielder in deep conversation with Reece James after the game had come to an end.
The Chelsea captain had enjoyed a very successful outing in his first start of pre-season, putting in a free-kick early on that led to an own goal.
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Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink praised James during the game, and he will be one of the players who will expect to start against Palace next weekend.
Chelsea v AC Milan - Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s Chelsea stats
Having been with the club from eight years of age, it is clear why Chelsea fans have such an affection for the midfielder after he departed in 2023.
Loftus-Cheek was plagued with injuries in his senior career at Stamford Bridge, however still made a serious impact in his 155 games with the club.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek Chelsea stats Total
Games 155
Goals 13
Assists 18
Some would argue that the England international has actually improved since leaving his boyhood club, with him being handed more responsibility and regular starts in Milan.
Chelsea meanwhile will be very content with their own midfield options going into the new season. Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Andrey Santos and Romeo Lavia will all be pushing for starts, while Dario Essugo is looking like he will be an assured deputy.