Chelsea are without a victory in two games to start their preseason after losing 4-1 to Scottish champions Celtic at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday.
[ MORE: Scores, schedule for Premier League teams touring the USA this summer ]
The Blues were once again without midfielder Enzo Fernandez as he recuperates from Argentina’s Copa America-winning run before joining up with Chelsea later in preseason, and Enzo Maresca’s side sure did look lost without him.
Matthew O’Riley made it 1-0 with a fine finish to a well-worked cross in the 19th minute, and it was 2-0 after 33 minutes as Celtic strung together a long sequence of passes around Chelsea’s midfielders and defenders before teeing up Kyogo Furuashi three yards out from an empty net. It was the kind of brilliant goal you’d expect to be scored by a side that cost as much to assemble as the current Chelsea squad, not against them.
A shocking giveaway in defense put Luis Palma in on goal with only the ‘keeper to beat in the 76th minute, and three minutes later Michael Johnston raced in behind to put a fourth goal past Robert Sanchez, who then came off for the final 10 minutes of the game.
Chelsea got a late consolation goal from the penalty spot after Raheem Sterling was hacked down in the box. Christopher Nkunku converted the penalty kick.
El club irlandés goleo al Chelsea y suma dos victorias contra dos equipos de la Premier League en una semana 👀🍀. pic.twitter.com/bSe1mMHB8J
— ESPN Deportes (@ESPNDeportes) July 27, 2024
How to watch Chelsea vs Celtic live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 4pm ET, Saturday (July 27)
Stadium: Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana
TV channel: ABC
Online: ESPN+
Chelsea focus, team news
Chelsea fought back to draw against Wrexham as Christopher Nkunku had given them the lead, then Lesley Ugochukwu equalized late on. Chelsea started that game in a back three with Robert Sanchez in goal and Maresca asked his side to play out from the back and just two weeks into preseason you can already see the Italian coach has totally changed Chelsea’s style of play. Reece James, Noni Madueke, Romeo Lavia, Tosin, Levi Colwill and Badiashille all started, with Ben Chilwell, Malo Gusto, Raheem Sterling, Armando Broja and Wesley Fofana all coming off the bench. With the likes of Cole Palmer, Marc Cucurella, Moises Caicedo and Conor Gallagher yet to link up with the Chelsea squad for preseason, all eyes are on Maresca at Chelsea as an intriguing summer lies ahead. New signing Renato Veiga didn’t feature against Wrexham, neither did Nicolas Jackson or another new summer signing Kieran Dewsbury-Hall so that trio could feature but goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic is out injured and didn’t travel to the States. Another new signing, Marc Guiu, did start up front and is an interesting player to keep an eye on.
Celtic focus, team news
Celtic looked really good in attack against Man City as Nicholas Kuhn (two) and Kyogo Furuhashi were both on the scoresheet. Rodgers has the core of his first team back in full flow with McGregor, O’Riley (who has been linked with a summer move to the Premier League) and Hatate in midfield. New starting goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel made his debut for Celtic and the reigning Scottish champions are looking in good shape as they prepare to kick off their domestic season on August 4. USMNT center back Cameron Carter-Vickers has yet to feature for Celtic during their preseason tour.
Chelsea vs Celtic prediction
It seems like Chelsea still have so much depth and talent despite a lot of their top players yet to return from their summer break. Expect the likes of Sterling, Nkunku and Madueke to have plenty of fun in this one. Chelsea 4-2 Celtic.
