Five things we learned from Chelsea’s pre-season tour as JDT draw exposes 2024 signing
Chelsea concluded their pre-season tour of Australia and Asia with a 3-3 draw with Johor Darul Ta’zim.
While on tour, Xabi Alonso’s side also faced AC Milan, Juventus, Tottenham Hotspur and Western Sydney Wanderers.
It is only pre-season, but have Chelsea fans learned anything about Alonso and his players? Absolutely! But what exactly?
Which Chelsea player caught your eye?
Chelsea player ratings V JDT.
Liam Delap’s best display in a Chelsea shirt! 😮
Xabi Alonso is flexible
There has been a lot of talk about whether Alonso will use a back four or back three in the new season. However, while in Australia and Asia, the Spaniard has used both, showing his flexibility.
It means Chelsea fans could see the team alternate between two systems in the upcoming campaign.
Joao Pedro is currently Chelsea’s MVP
Joao Pedro was easily Chelsea’s top performer during this pre-season tour. He scored a brace against Milan on Saturday and a hat-trick in the victory over Western Sydney.
Cole Palmer was not at his best last term and failed to score in any of these friendlies. With that in mind, many supporters will feel that Pedro is the team’s most important player right now.
Tosin Adarabioyo won’t last at Chelsea much longer
In contrast to Pedro, Adarabioyo, who joined Chelsea from Fulham on a free transfer in 2024, had quite a disappointing tour. The central defender had another difficult outing against JDT.
JDT really exposed Adarabioyo’s lack of pace and ineffectiveness in one-v-one situations. Following the arrival of Maxence Lacroix, his time at Chelsea could really be over.
Marco Palestra is going to be a top signing
On a more positive note, Marco Palestra looks like he is going to be a brilliant addition to this Chelsea squad.
The Italian has impressed at right-back and left wing-back. Going forward, he has been excellent.
What system will Xabi Alonso use the most? Where will the likes of Marco Palestra, Reece James, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers all fit?
Geovany Quenda is ready to be part of first team
Like Palestra, Geovany Quenda’s arrival has also gone under the radar a bit following the acquisitions of Lacroix and Morgan Rogers.
Quenda is still 19, so there was always a possibility of the Portugal Under-21 international leaving the club on loan.
However, Quenda has shown in pre-season that he has enough talent and skill to make an impact at Chelsea today.
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
