Mauricio Pochettino kicked off his Chelsea reign with a 5-0 win over Wrexham in entrance of a sold-out crowd in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Wrexham mania took maintain at Carolina College, however the League Two facet was, as anticipated, dominated by the Premier League giants.
It is vitally early days for either side and Pochettino is unquestionably getting used to his new workforce within the midst of a summer season rebuild.
The 4 video games developing as a part of Chelsea’s pre-season US tour may even be greater assessments.
Right here Mail Sport check out 5 issues we realized from Chelsea’s first pre-season recreation.
Maatsen finds his place
The 21-year-old Ian Maatsen is often a left-back however Pochettino moved him increased up the pitch to the left wing and in solely his second look for the membership it turned out to be an impressed resolution.
The teen opened the scoring in simply the third minute with a crisp, conceded shot within the first half after which moved from the left flank to web his second.
He collected the ball on the sting of the field and injected some rhythm and creativity into Chelsea’s assault by enjoying a one-two with Carney Chukwuemeka.
After dropping his marker, he hit the comeback and previous Ben Foster for the primary time together with his left foot into the underside nook.
He appears to adapt to the attacking third of the sector, he confirmed it at Burnley final season. Whether or not he’ll keep at Stamford Bridge and play a job this season stays to be seen.
Ian Maatsen scored each of Chelsea’s targets within the first half towards Wrexham in North Carolina
Pochettino wants endurance (and gamers!)
Earlier than Thursday morning’s match, solely 5 of the starters had performed for Chelsea as Pochettino’s mission continues to take form.
There’s already been a large overhaul this summer season with 13 gamers leaving and 6 new faces coming in.
Wrexham and former England goalkeeper Foster had extra appearances than all the Blues beginning XI mixed.
Pochettino famous that work is underway to attempt to deliver the fitting gamers for his mission, however after such a big rotation, he’ll want endurance and time to completely implement his philosophy.
Solely six midfielders are a part of the group touring to the US and that’s an space of concern with Andrey Santos, Conor Gallagher and Enzo Fernandez the seemingly starters in the intervening time with many inexperienced gamers behind them following the departures of Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante, Mason Mount and the remainder.
Mauricio Pochettino wants endurance and time to place his philosophy into apply with a lot rotation
Santos holds the midfield
There have been encouraging indicators from Santos in his first recreation for the membership.
After being loaned out once more to his native membership, Brazil’s Vasco de Gama, for the second half of final season following his £18m arrival in January, he appeared greater than comfy in his new environment.
He was disciplined within the central defensive midfielder function and was by no means shy of taking the ball to attempt to dictate play.
The 19-year-old was seen as a baby prodigy in his homeland of Brazil and the Blues beat Manchester Metropolis and Newcastle together with his signature.
Pochettino labored with Santos on his positional recreation in open tactical coaching 24 hours earlier and responded to what was requested of him.
It may grow to be a really shrewd enterprise.
Andrey Santos gave encouraging indicators in his first match for the Premier League facet
Jackson and Nkunku look sensible
Chelsea followers noticed their new attacking choices for the primary time in a aggressive tie and it was Nicolas Jackson, signed from Villarreal for £32m on an eight-year deal, who began from the bottom up.
He led the road for the Blues within the first half with RB Leipzig’s £53m striker Christopher Nkunku changing him at half-time.
Jackson confirmed he is lightning fast when he left Wrexham captain Ben Tozer useless to arrange Maatsen’s opening purpose.
He slipped previous the central defender with ease, however then additionally made the fitting resolution to cross the ball to his teammate on his left relatively than shoot himself.
Nkunku struggled to get into the sport however confirmed his medical contact when given the prospect, rounding out the goalkeeper for Chelsea’s fourth of the night time.
Chelsea’s new striker Nicolas Jackson has a quick tempo and proved to be a risk all through the primary half.
Cucurella has two probabilities
The left-back, who expressed his want to remain at Chelsea, regarded set to place a tough debut season with the membership behind him when he spoke to the media forward of the pre-season opener.
He had a full 45 minutes at left-back within the first half earlier than being changed by Ben Chilwell after which acquired the prospect to point out what he can do from centre.
In an uncommon transfer, he was reintroduced with round quarter-hour to go, taking Trevor Chalobah’s place in central defence.
He wasn’t actually put to the take a look at, however he made a powerful problem when it was one on one on the finish.
Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella performed left-back and center-back throughout the match.