CHELSEA may have had just two weeks to prepare for the new season, but they are looking sharp already.
The Blues have recorded comfortable wins over both Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan during their truncated pre-season.
Play Dream Team now!
Play The Sun Dream Team ahead of the 2025/26 season
Plenty have impressed, too.
New Brazilian teenager Estevao Willian has Stamford Bridge wrapped around his little finger already.
A goal on his first start and winning a penalty from the bench against Milan has everyone excited – and rightly so.
However, Enzo Maresca will have to be delicate when it comes to getting him used to life in the Premier League.
There will be huge clamour for Estevao to be in from the off against Crystal Palace on Sunday – but Maresca will likely resist the noise and go with Pedro Neto.
One new signing likely to get a go from the off is Jamie Gittens, signed from Borussia Dortmund.
The English winger is untested in the Premier League but has looked direct and dangerous in his early outings for Chelsea.
Robert Sanchez is the first-choice goalkeeper, while without Levi Colwill the defence is rather straightforward.
Up top, both Joao Pedro and Liam Delap have been impressive during pre-season and at the Club World Cup.
However, with Pedro having five in five since his arrival – the former Brighton man will likely start against his old rivals.
Chelsea’s transfer deals
IN
- Joao Pedro – from Brighton – £60m
- Jamie Gittens – from Dortmund – £52m
- Jorell Hato – from Ajax – £37m
- Liam Delap – from Ipswich – £30m
- Estevao – from Palmeiras – £29m
- Dario Essugo – from Sporting Lisbon – £18.5m
- Kendry Paez – from Independiente – £17.5m
- Mamadou Sarr – from Strasbourg – £12.5m
TOTAL – £256.5m
OUT
- Noni Madueke – to Arsenal – £52m
- Joao Felix – to Al-Nassr – £44m
- Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – to Everton – £28m
- Djordje Petrovic – to Bournemouth – £25m
- Lesley Ugochukwu – to Burnley – £25m
- Bashir Humphreys – to Burnley – £15m
- Mathis Amougou – to Strasbourg – £12.5m
- Kepa Arrizabalaga – to Arsenal – £5m
- Marcus Bettinelli – to Man City – £5m
TOTAL – £183.5m
Read the full article here