Joao Pedro turns up in Australia to do some cooking on the Barbie!

Chelsea 6 Western Sydney Australia 4

Debrief

Chelsea beat Western Sydney Wanderers 6-4 today over on their Australian tour in what was a pretty decent first game for Xabi Alonso.

It was very much expected in terms of it being a bit all over the place at times, quite end to end, players finding match fitness, and awful bobbly pitch, and against a side who were playing their cup final trying to beat the mighty Chelsea.

WSW presented Chelsea with a fairly good opposition really and as I said, they were fully up for this game and really wanted to win it. Xabi Alonso went for a very young side with many academy players from the off, and it wasn’t until the 63rd minute when he bought on all the big guns. It was very sloppy at times from Chelsea, especially at the back. But the lack of organisation and naivety was expected from such a young and inexperienced side in Chelsea.

Some really good moments, some decent play on some of the goals too, especially the playing out in tight areas, one touch passing to get us from goalkeeper to striker within seconds; that was super impressive. Some excellent finishing as well. As I say, defensively we were horrendous at times, but that is what to expect really in our first pre-season game.

Ratings

Manager

Xabi Alonso - 7

I loved how he was constantly barking orders from the side lines, and I saw him shouting to demand his players press higher all the time. I think he actually got a bit annoyed that they weren’t doing it as much as he wanted too. He took this seriously but also gave many minutes to some academy lads which was nice to see. Made the changes to get the big guns on to win the game for Chelsea at the right time. Played a 4-2-3-1 formation, and it suited the players he picked and the ones that came on.

Players

Teddy Sharman-Lowe - 7

He actually made a few important saves and I think he was mostly pretty good with the ball at his feet too. He was shouting at his players and organising a lot, which I like to see from a goalkeeper. I’d like to have seen him assert more dominance on crosses, and might have done better for one or two goals.

Olutayo Subuloye - 6

He didn’t really do much wrong other than being skinned for their fourth goal. Did the basics well and didn’t look out of place.

Josh Acheampong - 4

Very disappointed with his performance. He was at fault for two of their opening goals, and he didn’t look up to it at all today.

Tosin Adarabioyo - 3

Tosin missed two sitters, one was criminal. But defensively he was like he usually is, a liability and often passing the ball straight to them.

Landon Emenalo - 7.5

Comfortable and assertive in possession. Didn’t put a foot wrong either and he slotted in at left back very well. I heard he was getting plenty of praise from Alonso during and after the game.

Dario Essugo - 7.5

He looked sloppy until about 25 minutes in and not at it at all. But something in him switched and he started driving us forward with the ball, making some neat passes, and scoring a superb goal. Came off at half time.

Reggie Watson - 8.5

Some player this. Looks and plays like a 25-year-old, let alone a 16-year-old. I need to see his passport!!? Assured, confident, and solid - he was putting himself about a lot as well as being very good on the ball and having some top vision for a pass. Impressive player and the only one who played the full game.

Reggie Walsh - 8

Same as the other Reggie and in fact, Jody Morris nailed it on commentary when he said ‘the two Reggie’s are playing very well.’ Carries the ball well, mixes in with the physical battle just fine, and a goal threat too with one long range effort that nearly sailed in. A very good football player.

Ryan Kavuma-McQueen - 6

He hit one very good pass for the first goal but was mostly pretty quiet other than that and couldn’t really effect the play or look that threatening.

Dastan Satpayev - 7.5

He took his goal superbly, with a fine and powerful finish into the top corner. He looked quality whenever he got on the ball, but I saw him a little uncomfortable at times when he was hugging the touchline - seems better centrally and further forward.

Liam Delap - 7

I thought it was pretty samey from Delap as last season. He would do something good, get himself into a decent position, then blast his shot way over the bar or wide. He did look strong, quick, and hungry at times though but sometimes I think he’s just so desperate to impress that he over tries.

SUBS

Omari Kellyman for Kavuma-McQueen (HT) - N/A

Came on at half time and taken off after 63 minutes. Yikes, I’d be fuming!! But there was no way Alonso was losing that game, and he needed the big guns on at that point because they had just taken the lead.

Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli for Essugo (HT) - 8

Another one who really caught the eye. Again, a super young player but played with maturity and always wanted the ball. Very comfortable in possession and was pregressive with it too.

Levi Colwill for Acheampong (63 mins) - 6.5

Nice to have some assertiveness and confidence at the back when he came on. Naturally rusty still, but decent showing.

Estevao Willian for Kellyman (63 mins) - 6

Poor pass to gift them a goal, but he was lively too at times. He also looks desperate sometimes to want to do something special and needs to learn to play with a bit of patience and less frustration at times. He’s also just got over a bad injury so some slack there too.

Wesley Fofana for Emenalo (63 mins) - 6.5

Same as Levi, shored up the defence a bit more than his counterparts before him, although that wasn’t difficult because I think even I could have done that!

Joao Pedro for Delap (63 mins) - 10

Wow. This guy can finish!! Came on and bagged a hat-trick to win Chelsea the game, no messing about. He was energetic, came on and drove at defenders, good hold up play, and just showed Delap how to do it once again.

SPTC Man of the Match!

Marco Palestra for Suboloye (63 mins) - 7.5

What a tidy player he is and he has something about him too, with a nice bit of skill over on the right in an attacking area, and a very confident little performance from the new signing.

Robert Sanchez for Sharman-Lowe (63 mins) - 6.5

Didn’t have too much to do but was decent enough at what he did have to do.

Cole Palmer for Satpayev (63 mins) - 7.5

I told you guys he was hungry and happy again, and here he was showing it this morning/afternoon. Full of energy, wanting to make things happen, and using his excellent vision to create chances for us.

Aaron Anselmino for Tosin (63 mins) - 7

He looked very solid actually, and seeing as he was asked to play as a left back, I thought he did very well.

Jamie Gittens for Walsh (63 mins) - 7.5

A lively entrance from Gittens with some superb touches, and then a nice finish to get Chelsea into the game again. I liked his energy and urgency, a real threat.

Conclusion

Well, that might be the longest every match report I have to do in terms of player ratings - Chelsea made 9 subs at once!! We needed our big guns to get the win, but there was some impressive showings from some of the academy lads, and it was also refreshing to see our senior players coming on and looking so hungry and up for it.

Some really good signs in there for sure, even if the defensive frailties continue! Onto Spurs at the weekend, Up the Chels!

Highlights….

Simon Phillips