Chelsea registered a routine 2-1 win over Club America in an entertaining pre-season curtain raiser at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday morning.
There was no sign of Chelsea new boys Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly but those who took to the pitch were able to start shaking off some ring rust before the season starts proper in August.
A string of chances came and went in a goalless first half, with Kai Havertz ballooning over a fine opportunity before Thiago Silva went close with a thumping header.
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Blues boss Thomas Tuchel had expected an intense match-up against a “very physical, very aggressive” Liga MX outfit, and those words had rung true in the first period with the referee handing out a handful of yellow cards to the tenacious opposition in a competitively spirited fixture.
A new eleven emerged in the blue strip for the second half as the World Champions pressed for the opener and it duly came in minute 55 as Timo Werner found the back of the net with his second bite of the cherry. The lead lasted all of five minutes however following an inexplicable own goal from Reece James. It seemed like the spoils were to be shared before Mason Mount pulled a long-range drive from out of the top drawer in the 82nd minute.
As far as pre-season friendlies go, this was meat and drink for the Pensioners and their German gaffer as preparations begin in earnest to bridge the gap to Manchester City and Liverpool in the 2022/23 Premier League. In the interim, here is how Absolute Chelsea rated the Blues’ performance in Las Vegas.
FIRST HALF
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Kepa Arrizabalaga - 7/10 [45]
Plenty of confidence on display to come off his line and punch the ball clear a couple of times, a facet of his abilities which has come in for stringent criticism in the past. Reportedly not without his suitors going into a new season in which he will have ambitions to evolve beyond a bit-part cup goalkeeper.
Trevoh Chalobah - 6/10 [45]
The young Sierra Leonean was assured in the Blues’ rearguard with a solid 45 minutes under his belt going into a season where he will bear more responsibility given some high-profile departures in said rearguard.
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Thiago Silva - 7/10 [45]
O Monstro, who will no doubt be looking forward to partnering up with Chelsea's newest recruit, was denied a place on the scoresheet only by a super save from substitute goalkeeper Oscar Jimenez. Untroubled at the back.
Malang Sarr - 7/10 [45]
Demonstrated excellent recovery pace to time a sliding challenge perfectly in one of the highlights of the first period. A perfectly competent defensive display from the perhaps unfairly maligned Frenchman, save for a couple of lapses in communication with his partner on the left flank.
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Callum Hudson-Odoi - 6/10 [45]
Lively when progressing the ball and certainly showing signs of his once electric pace returning, although he failed to properly take the occasion by the scruff of the neck this morning.
Ross Barkley - 6/10 [45]
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Seems incredulous to think that the former Everton man is still plying his trade for the Pensioners after spending so much time on the Stamford Bridge sidelines, yet he is well known for coming alive under the bright lights of pre-season. While he never realistically threatened to steal the show in Las Vegas, he nonetheless kept it neat and tidy enough in possession with a good range of pass.
Conor Gallagher - 8/10 [45]
A typically energetic showing from a man returning from a hugely successful loan with Crystal Palace last season. There was a dogged determination to his play, with the central midfielder keen to impress his boss following assurances of his role in the season ahead. His first touch was notably exquisite on a number of occasions and his reading of the game was exceptional.
Ben Chilwell - 5/10 [45]
Just the sight of him being back on the pitch after his campaign was curtailed by a nasty long-term injury will be a welcome sight for Chelsea fans and Thomas Tuchel alike. Clearly lacking the swashbuckling dynamism that has become a trademark of his game - and there were a fair few moments of unease under pressure - but it will surely return with time and patience.
Hakim Ziyech - 6/10 [45]
Good intensity in the early going and kept Mexican cult hero and legendary goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa honest with a free kick that stung his palms. Influence waned somewhat but remained a looming threat from deadball situations.
Kenedy - 7/10 [45]
One of Chelsea's longest serving players has spent that service very much on the periphery and almost wholly elsewhere, yet his assist against Watford in the final game of the Premier League season in May was a collector's item to be proud of. Almost followed it up here with a lashed drive that went inches wide of the far post. Some nice feet in tight spaces although a little guilty of failing to release the ball to a teammate quick enough too often.
Kai Havertz - 5/10 [45]
Cut somewhat of a forlorn and isolated figure at the top end of the pitch for large periods. The German spurned a golden opportunity to fire Chelsea ahead. That ruthlessness which eluded him is something he will have to find heading into a campaign in which it appears he will be the main man up front.
SECOND HALF
Marcus Bettinelli - 5/10 [45]
Not really called into meaningful action by the opposition but came undone when one of his own colleagues tried to find him on hand for a pass. Perhaps not as culpable as Reece James in that calamity by virtue of the footballing basics, but culpable nonetheless.
César Azpilicueta - 6/10 [45]
A quiet game from the ever dependable Spaniard but there were a couple of good challenges that needed to be made and he was particularly busting a lung late on during late flurries from the Águilas.
Ethan Ampadu - 7/10 [45]
Returning from a decent loan spell with now Serie B outfit Venezia, the Welshman showed visibly great leadership in shepherding the defensive unit and his passing was on point. His versatility figures to be a valuable asset for Thomas Tuchel should he wish to call upon it in the wars to come.
Emerson Palmieri - 7/10 [45]
Superb last-ditch challenge after the Milonetas sprung the Blues’s backline as the game drew to a close demonstrated that the Italian was alert and alive to any danger. Could have had a goal contribution on another day, going close with a volley and putting in a good ball for Christian Pulisic.
Reece James - 6/10 [45]
Peeling away from his marker and rifling in a dangerous cross is becoming somewhat of a habit for the young Englishman, although rifling it in at his own end can also be considered somewhat frowned upon. Must bear the brunt of the blame for that error, although these are the wrinkles to be ironed out now rather than later when there are points and prizes on the line.
Jorginho - 7/10 [45]
Really ran the show in the middle of the park upon his introduction, with some impressive metronomic passing and a sublime ball for the Chelsea goal to boot.
Mason Mount - 8/10 [45]
Looked lively from the get go as it is, but the Pensioners’ talisman burst into life in the dying embers to fire home a rocket from out of the blue to ensure the Blues came out of a fiery encounter with a win under their belts.
Marcos Alonso - 6/10 [45]
A constant marauding presence down the left flank, proving a thorn in the side for the Azul-Cremas without ever quite getting into the position where the Spaniard is at his most potent and able to unleash the devastating tools in his arsenal.
Timo Werner - 7/10 [45]
Bright as a button even beyond his obvious contribution in his well-taken finish. In that regard he demonstrated cool composure to convert in spite of his first attempt being well saved.
Christian Pulisic - 5/10 [45]
It was the American hero’s homecoming but he was unable to be Chelsea’s hero on the night. Glanced a header wide and failed to play in Michy Batshuayi in a timely manner on a promising counter, albeit with his former Borussia Dortmund teammate firing wide anyway.
Michy Batshuayi - 6/10 [45]
The Belgian was a man on a mission in his quest to bag a goal, so much so that he had serious tunnel vision when his peers may have been best placed to capitalise. Still, his strikers’ instinct and hunger cannot be faulted - even if his lacklustre finishing can.
Featured Image Credit: Chelsea FC
