Every start of preseason we make it clear that these games are nothing more than fitness preparation for the squad. However when you give playing time for several young players like we did today, you have to keep your eyes peeled for what may come next.
One of those young’uns, Dastan Satpayev, had some eyes set on him and showed why that was the case. A good run from Ryan Kavuma-McQueen’s pass to break the offside trap from the hosts at Accor Stadium in Sydney and the Kazakh international scored not
even 10 minutes into the match.
While offensively the Blues were very promising, the combination of Tosin Adarabioyo and 18-year-old centre-back Olutayo Subuloye in defence didn’t make it for solid defending. In spite of Teddy Sharman-Lowe’s best efforts to organise his teammates in a corner kick, he couldn’t do much to avoid giving Western Sydney Wanderers the tying goal.
It didn’t help that midfielders Reggie Watson and Dário Essugo weren’t in the kind of rhythm needed to control action in their sector. The hosts were thus able to attack at whim with little to no counterpart offered by Chelsea, who had instead to keep defending against a barrage of shots from the Wanderers.
Unsurprisingly the hosts got in front via Aydan Hammond, with defence once again not covering themselves in glory. What was surprising, was Chelseaying at 2-2 with Dário Essugo assisted by Reggie Walsh on a Satpayev play and pass from the left flank.
The barrage of substitutions didn’t start from the get-go as new manager Xabi Alonso likely felt our youngsters weren’t ready to leave the pitch. Especially with the hosts proving tough challengers to the group.
So tough they were that they got a third goal a little over 60 minutes into the game, with Dylan Scicluna scoring after a not so thoughtful Landon Emenalo clearance. Some of the big guns were now on the pitch and the impact was immediate.
Not even two minutes after stepping on the pitch, João Pedro sliced the hosts’ defence wide open and assisted Jamie Gittens for a second Chelsea equaliser. More goals could have come our way but it seemed the team were not only off-pace, but also not too keen on pushing themselves too much in their first preseason outing.
Once the Wanderers readjusted they were able to get in front of goal again. And they got back in the lead via Awan Lual on yet another defensive misplay.
It was time to João Pedro to save the day — and our face — once again. Previously the assistant, this time he was the goalscorer proper in the next three goals to get Chelsea a two-goal lead.
Carefree!
- 4-2-3-1 with plenty of youth in the midst.
- Neither Tosin nor his defence colleagues covering themselves in glory today.
- Match fitness and tactical knowledge are the clear limitations today.
- João Pedro showing up for business with a 10-minute hat-trick.
- Next up: Tottenham at the same venue.
- KTBFFH!
