Chelsea defeated Real Sociedad 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday as Enzo Fernandez returned to a divided crowd after Friday's 5pm deadline for clubs to make a £120million offer passed without a bid. The Argentine international started on the bench and received expected boos when his name was read out before kick-off in Chelsea's final pre-season match before their season opener against Fulham on August 24.
The atmosphere turned bizarre when Fernandez entered the action after an hour, replacing Reece James and wearing the captain's armband for the final 30 minutes. Sections of the Stamford Bridge crowd booed the World Cup runner-up while others proudly sang his name, a dual reception of disgruntled boos followed by encouraging chants that continued whenever he touched the ball in midfield.
Fernandez has been stuck in a complicated situation since alerting the world in March that he dreams of playing for Real Madrid, which prompted then-manager Liam Rosenior to take umbrage and drop him for two games. Manchester City were the front-runners to sign him, but Chelsea set suitors an unofficial deadline of 5pm on Friday as they wanted their squad fixed ahead of the new campaign.
Although that deadline passed without an offer, it remains to be seen whether a £120m bid before the transfer window closes on September 1 will test Chelsea's resolve. Fernandez appeared unaffected by the contradictory reception during his first minutes since returning from the World Cup, where he and his Argentina teammates were condemned for unsporting conduct, simulation, and dirty tackles during their semi-final against England. In the 90th minute, the Matthew Harding stand became a supportive chorus as his free-kick from the left looped over the bar.
Joao Pedro Pre-Season Form
Away from the transfer drama, Joao Pedro put Premier League defenders on notice by scoring twice as Chelsea wrapped up pre-season with a 3-1 win. The 24-year-old forward was motivated after being snubbed by Carlo Ancelotti for Brazil's World Cup squad, finishing pre-season with eight goals in seven games as Chelsea's best player of the summer campaign.
Pedro scored 20 goals in 50 games during his first season at Stamford Bridge despite the club's subpar league campaign, and he has looked even brighter under new manager Xabi Alonso. Alonso's 3-4-3 formation features a tight front three that allows Pedro to link up play, use his blistering pace to run in behind, and look for the ball inside the penalty area.
His first goal came when he met a timely cross from Reece James at the far post, burying his header past the near post to score Chelsea's second. Pedro added his second of the afternoon by latching on to a ball in behind from Malo Gusto and drilling a low right-footed shot into the net. Benefiting from a summer of rest, he forms a lethal frontline alongside Cole Palmer and new signing Morgan Rogers.
Morgan Rogers First Goal
British record transfer holder Morgan Rogers could not have wished for a better start to life at his new club, scoring inside 10 minutes following his £117m move. Lining up on the left of Chelsea's front three, the marquee summer signing showed sharp reactions when Real Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro initially denied Pedro inside the box, tapping home the rebound from a couple of yards out.
Rogers played 62 minutes in total, having only joined Chelsea training this week after spending the summer at the World Cup with England. Minutes after putting Chelsea ahead, he demonstrated his ball-carrying ability by driving forward to create another chance for Pedro, which was denied by a fine stop from Remiro.
Xabi Alonso Tactical Setup
Xabi Alonso appears to have committed to the back-three system that served him well at Bayer Leverkusen, selecting the formation in consecutive first-team games after initially leaking goals with a back four. Alonso received a warm welcome from supporters pre-match, with fans even singing his name midway through the first half. Chelsea debuted the system during a clean sheet against AC Milan last week, and while Jon Aramburu scored a wonderful long-range strike for Real Sociedad, the set-up offers greater defensive stability.
Maxence Lacroix has integrated into the squad following his transfer from Crystal Palace, where he played in the centre of a back three. Flanked by Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill against Real Sociedad, Lacroix brings physicality and pace to address weaknesses in Chelsea's backline from last season. At left wing-back, Marco Palestra performed efficiently up and down the line, whereas Pedro Neto showed limited offensive prowess on the opposite flank.
Chelsea Squad Absentees
Chelsea had an extensive list of absentees for their final pre-season outing, including new signings Danny Welbeck, Emmanuel Emegha, and Jordan Henderson. Henderson underwent surgery at the World Cup after a freakish injury celebrating England's victory against Mexico at the Azteca, tumbling over an advertising hoarding and fracturing his wrist and arm. Although his match fitness is unclear, he trained with Chelsea this week after arriving from Brentford.
Meanwhile, Mykhailo Mudryk, Tosin Adarabioyo, Liam Delap, and Nicolas Jackson were also missing from the matchday squad. All four players could depart before the transfer window closes in 16 days, raising questions over whether they remain part of Alonso's plans.
