Chelsea beat AC Milan 4–1 at Stamford Bridge in a high-energy preseason friendly. João Pedro and Liam Delap starred — but Trevoh Chalobah’s knock raises defensive questions. How to watch, player takeaways and tactical analysis.
Chelsea vs Milan Quick summary
Chelsea wrapped up their pre-season with a convincing 4–1 win over AC Milan at Stamford Bridge. An early own goal and João Pedro’s poacher finish put the Blues in charge, AC Milan were reduced to ten men after Andrei Coubiș’s red card, and Liam Delap converted a penalty and added a late second to complete his brace. The mood was upbeat, but Trevoh Chalobah being forced off with a knock compounded Chelsea’s defensive concerns after Levi Colwill’s earlier ACL blow. Fans in many territories could stream the match on DAZN, while Channel 5 carried UK coverage.
The result & headline facts
- Final Score: Chelsea 4 — 1 AC Milan.
- Scorers: Own goal (Andrei Coubiș, 5′), João Pedro (8′), Liam Delap (pen 60′, 90′). AC Milan’s consolation came from Youssouf Fofana (reported in some live feeds).
- Red card: Andrei Coubiș was sent off after denying a clear goalscoring opportunity, leaving Milan with ten men from the 18th minute.
- Injury note: Trevoh Chalobah limped off around the hour mark — another defensive worry after Levi Colwill’s season-ending ACL injury.
- Where to watch: DAZN streamed the friendly in many markets; Channel 5 carried UK coverage; DAZN/ESPN and other regional partners offered viewing in the US and beyond.
Those are the load-bearing facts you’ll want to highlight in headlines, metadata and social posts.
Match narrative — how the goals and drama unfolded
The game opened at a high tempo. Chelsea didn’t wait for the friendly to settle — pressure and set-piece delivery forced the first flick on the Rossoneri back line, and Andrei Coubiș (Milan) turned Reece James’s free-kick into his own net inside five minutes. Chelsea patiently built on the lead: João Pedro nodded in a superb cross soon after, showing the kind of instant chemistry the Blues hope their summer signings will bring all season. Within 20 minutes Milan’s task became much harder when Coubiș was shown a straight red for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity in the box, reducing the visitors to ten men and tilting the contest decisively in Chelsea’s favor.
The second half resembled a dress rehearsal for the Premier League: Chelsea rotated, kept intensity high, and Liam Delap — a summer arrival — stroked home a penalty before adding a late finish to wrap up a 4–1 victory. The result pleased the home crowd and underlined how seriously manager Enzo Maresca wants his new signings to integrate quickly. Yet the image of Chalobah leaving the pitch with a knock tempered the celebrations: Chelsea’s centre-back depth is being tested early.
Lineups, new signings and what the XI hinted at
This friendly was a clear window into Maresca’s thinking. Chelsea started a near-full squad featuring many of the club’s summer additions and established starters:
- Chelsea (likely start): Robert Sánchez; Marc Cucurella, Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah, Reece James; Enzo Fernández, Moisés Caicedo; Jamie Gittens, Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto; João Pedro. Several sources confirmed the starting XI and rotation plan.
- AC Milan: Mike Maignan in goal with familiar names like Rafael Leão, Luka Modrić (making a debut appearance after his move), Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Youssouf Fofana forming a strong nucleus in midfield and attack. Milan’s lineup looked competitive but was undermined by the early red card.
Why this matters: Chelsea’s willingness to start and trust João Pedro and Liam Delap in key moments suggests the recruitment plan (big spending across attack) isn’t merely depth shopping — Maresca expects these players to fight for starting roles immediately. For Milan, the inclusion of Modrić (post-transfer) was more about building fitness and leadership than the final score.
Tactical takeaways — what we learned about Chelsea’s style
- High tempo, direct pressure: Chelsea pressed Milan’s build-up aggressively and punished mistakes. The own goal and quick second showed how transition speed matters even in friendlies.
- Wing overload & crosses: Reece James and Pedro Neto featured in wide positions, with James’s free-kick leading to the opener and crosses creating multiple chances. That wing emphasis gives Maresca several attacking outlet options.
- Midfield control with Enzo Fernández & Moisés Caicedo: The pivot combined energy and passing range, allowing Gittens/Palmer to occupy space between lines and create for João Pedro. Chelsea’s midfield management looked balanced and pragmatic.
- Defensive questions: With Levi Colwill already out for the season (ACL) and Chalobah departing injured in this match, Chelsea’s central-defensive depth is a clear issue. Tosin Adarabioyo and other options will now be asked to shoulder more minutes, and transfer market whispers are likely to re-emerge.
In short: Chelsea’s attack looked sharper than last season’s, but defensive durability remains the offseason narrative to watch.
Player spotlight: João Pedro, Liam Delap & Trevoh Chalobah
João Pedro — A composed finish and smart movement made his cameo feel like a statement. The Brazilian’s early goal indicates he’s adapting fast to Chelsea’s patterns and could be a key outlet in central positions.
Liam Delap — The summer signing showed poacher’s instincts: calm from the penalty spot and a late goal to cap the brace. Delap’s physical presence can offer a different profile behind or alongside the main striker in Maresca’s system.
Trevoh Chalobah — The defender’s exit midway through the second half is the biggest concern. With Colwill sidelined long-term, Chalobah’s fitness will be closely monitored; any extended absence could push Chelsea back into the market for centre-back reinforcements.
AC Milan: what went wrong (and what’s promising)
Milan started with intent — Modrić’s presence adds experience, and Leão is always a threat — but the early own goal and Coubiș red card changed the tactical balance. Playing a man down against a hungry Chelsea team, Milan struggled to build momentum. That said, certain players (Leão, Loftus-Cheek) still produced bright moments, and this game will be treated as a fitness and systems test rather than a defining failure. In preseason, lessons about discipline and defensive structure are often more valuable than the scoreline.
Where to watch Chelsea vs AC Milan — broadcast & streaming guide
Already watching or planning to catch highlights? Here’s how fans viewed the match across key markets:
- DAZN: Carried streaming coverage in multiple territories and often offers replays and condensed matches. DAZN listed the fixture on its schedule and offered access for subscribers (and, at times, free previews).
- Channel 5 (UK): Broadcast the friendly in the UK as part of broad preseason programming; Channel 5 has periodically taken rights for select club friendlies and documentaries.
- USA: DAZN / fuboTV / UNIVERSO were listed as options for US viewers — check regional blackout rules and platform windows. NBC Sports’ preview also pointed US viewers to DAZN as the principal streaming partner.
Tip: Kick-off times were shown in local time (BST), so US and Asia viewers should check listings for replay windows if they cannot watch live. Official club channels and social accounts usually post match highlights quickly after the final whistle.
Joao Pedro scores again! 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/8YU6NxcziA
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 10, 2025
Injury implications & what comes next
Immediate: Chalobah’s knock and Colwill’s ACL are the main concerns. Club medical updates will dictate whether surgery or conservative treatment is required for Chalobah — reports described it as a “knock” in early coverage but advised patience while scans are completed.
Squad management: Chelsea spent heavily this summer on attacking reinforcements; now the priority for Maresca and the sporting directors may shift to defensive cover — either by promoting youth (Hato/Josh Acheampong options mentioned in media), or recruiting another central defender. The transfer window still has activity potential.
Fan & media reaction
Fan feeds and pundits celebrated the attacking cohesion and Delap/João Pedro showings — two signings who already look comfortable. At the same time, social timelines buzzed about the defensive absences and whether Maresca’s lineup choices will hold up across a long Premier League campaign. Media outlets praised the performance but urged restraint — preseason friendlies can be misleading and should be taken as part of a larger preparatory picture.
Final thoughts — what to watch next
This friendly gives Chelsea momentum and a clearer picture of their attacking blueprint, but the defensive knocks are the story that will linger into late August. Watch how quickly the club addresses depth at centre-back, how João Pedro and Delap settle into rotations with Cole Palmer and the rest, and whether Maresca tweaks his system before the Premier League curtain-raiser.
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