Chelsea: Joao Pedro holds benefit over Liam Delap as Estevao Willian and Jamie Gittens shine towards Bayer Leverkusen

Chelsea secured a 2-0 win towards Erik ten Hag’s Bayer Leverkusen of their first pre-season pleasant. Right here, we look at a number of the large speaking factors from their efficiency…

Joao Pedro wins first spherical in striker combat with Delap

Liam Delap’s bid to change into Chelsea’s first-choice striker had began effectively earlier than their pleasant towards Bayer Leverkusen had even begun, however it ended with him on the again foot.

Sky Sports activities Information reported forward of kick-off that Nicolas Jackson’s absence from the matchday squad was because of the striker telling the membership he wished to discover his switch choices this summer season.

Delap would have already been buoyed by being handed his first begin at Stamford Bridge but after quarter-hour, he had only one contact.

Along with his second, he despatched a shot straight at goalkeeper Mark Flekken, who then made his greatest save, spreading himself to disclaim Delap’s poked effort at purpose.

Delap’s motion in behind, to latch onto Tyrique George’s curling cross, was faultless, however he needed to rating. Two photographs, each on the right track, each large probabilities missed.

Joao Pedro then confirmed him how you can do it. He composed himself within the space earlier than clinically sending an effort into the underside left nook to offer himself the benefit. The battle recommences on Sunday.
David Richardson

Dynamite debut from Estevao

Debuts don’t get significantly better than Estevao Willian’s at Stamford Bridge.

Anticipation and pleasure for the 18-year-old expertise from Palmeiras was already excessive heading into this fixture however he exceeded all expectations in his first look in a Chelsea shirt.

From minute one, Estevao dazzled together with his potential on the ball and confidence when driving at defenders.

A pure chemistry with star-man Cole Palmer was clear to see from kick-off and it will definitely paid dividends when the Brazil worldwide swept house the opener after Palmer’s shot bounced again into the penalty space off the bar.

Carving a method into this Chelsea beginning line-up shouldn’t be a simple job however this efficiency may have put the younger winger firmly in competition for a beginning position towards Crystal Palace within the Blues’ Premier League opener subsequent Sunday, dwell on Sky Sports activities.
Patrick Rowe

Sunday seventeenth August 1:00pm


Kick off 2:00pm

Gittens provides to Maresca’s choice headache

One other debutant for Chelsea and one other robust efficiency to endear himself to the house crowd at Stamford Bridge.

Jamie Gittens, a £51.5m signing from Borussia Dortmund this summer season, changed George on the left wing within the sixty fourth minute and wasted no time in displaying his full array of skills.

The 21-year-old confirmed clear intent with the ball, commonly drifted into harmful areas and regarded to facilitate his team-mates.

“It makes me want to push harder in training,” Gittens informed Channel 5 after the sport when requested concerning the competitors for locations on the membership.

“Everyone is so competitive, and I need that to push myself to the max.”

With hyperlinks to Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho intensifying behind the scenes, securing an everyday position on this line-up may get even more durable.

Nevertheless, if Gittens performs like he did throughout his transient cameo towards Leverkusen, will probably be tough for Maresca to look previous the winger.
Patrick Rowe

Tosin has the sting to switch Colwill

Levi Colwill’s ACL damage got here as a major blow to Chelsea this week on their return to coaching. It is given Maresca an issue to resolve.

Colwill loved a advantageous season at left centre-back final marketing campaign, bringing composure to the backline and defining Chelsea’s possession-based type. He had constructed a promising partnership with Trevoh Chalobah, who pressured his method into the aspect after coming back from a mortgage spell at Crystal Palace.

Chalobah is predicted to begin, however who will accomplice him? Josh Acheampong was given the beginning audition towards Leverkusen. The 19-year-old academy graduate performed at proper centre-back, with Chalobah moved to the opposite aspect.

Acheampong accomplished all 76 of his tried passes, though solely a kind of was a protracted cross. Tosin changed Chalobah at half-time and likewise did not misplace a cross, hitting 4 lengthy balls.

Tosin’s telling contribution got here when he deflected Leverkusen’s greatest probability behind after Acheampong had fallen over the ball deep in his half.

Tosin, 27, has considerably extra expertise than Acheampong, with mortgage spells at West Brom and Blackburn within the Championship earlier than enjoying 119 instances for Fulham and making 44 appearances for Chelsea final season. It is his spot to lose.
David Richardson

Sky Sports activities to indicate 215 dwell Premier League video games from subsequent season

From this season, Sky Sports activities’ Premier League protection will improve from 128 matches to at the very least 215 video games solely dwell.

And 80 per cent of all televised Premier League video games this season are on Sky Sports activities.