New
signing Christopher Nkunku was among the goalscorers as Chelsea romped to a
5-0 win over Ryan Reynolds' League Two side Wrexham in the first game of
their US tour.
Mauricio Pochettino took to the dugout for the first time as Blues boss
having named a youthful starting XI, but did include new summer arrival
Nicolas Jackson in attack.
The Senegal international took little time to make his mark, skipping past a
challenge in the third minute before squaring for Ian Maatsen to slot home.
Chelsea'
remaining pre-season games
July 23: Chelsea vs Brighton, kick-off 12am (Lincoln Financial
Field, USA), live on Sky Sports
July 27: Chelsea vs Newcastle, kick-off 1.15am (Mercedes-Benz
Stadium, USA), live on Sky Sports
July 30: Chelsea vs Fulham, kick-off 7.45pm (FedEx Field, USA), live
on Sky Sports
August 3: Chelsea vs Dortmund, kick-off 12.30am (Soldier Field, USA) |
Dutch left-back Maatsen, 21, doubled his tally before half-time as he
exchanged passes with Carney Chukwuemeka and struck a crisp effort home from
18 yards.
Nkunku was one of a number of new arrivals at the interval as Pochettino
gave more of his experienced heads time to impress.
Even so, it took until the 80th minute for them to add to their lead when
Conor Gallagher's drive made it three following good work from fellow
half-time substitute Raheem Sterling.
Nkunku's goal came in the final minute of normal time when the French
forward raced past goalkeeper Rob Lainton to fire home.
There was still time for another goal, with Ben Chilwell on target deep into
stoppage time after latching onto a defence-splitting pass from another new
signing, Angelo Gabriel.
Pochettino impressed by young guns'
performance
Pochettino's starting XI had an average age barely over 19 years old, and
the new head coach paid tribute to their quality in producing a professional
performance in front of 50,000 fans in North Carolina.
"It is good to have the opportunity to see all these young guys who can show
their quality," he told Chelsea's official website. "It is important for
them and for us to have a real assessment. For sure all have quality, they
need time and space to show they can compete for a place in the squad.
"The profile is very good, [Andrey Santos and Cesare Casadei] and Carney
(Chukwuemeka). They have the profile, only they need time.
"They are young and we cannot forget we are in Chelsea, the pressure is
always to win. They need to have the place, to have time to evolve. But yes,
the profile is good."
Mauricio Pochettino will take charge of Chelsea for the first time when they
start the 2023/24 Premier League season at home to Liverpool, live on Sky
Sports, on Sunday August 13.
Chelsea then head to London rivals West Ham on August 19 before welcoming
newly promoted Luton Town to Stamford Bridge on August 26.
Pochettino will visit his former club Tottenham on November 4 with the
return fixture scheduled for February 24.
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