On his eagerly anticipated Chelsea debut, Brazilian teenager Estevao opened the scoring within the 18th minute, ending into an empty web from Cole Palmer‘s lobbed effort.
Substitute Joao Pedro sealed the win in added time as he completed from Genesis Antwi’s cut-back to cap a routine victory for the Blues.
Chelsea return to Stamford Bridge on Sunday to tackle AC Milan.
Customary Sport’s Sam Tabuteau analyses the Blues’ efficiency…
Younger Brazilian skills can appear to be a dime a dozen, however Estevao seems to be a reduce above.
The 18-year-old regarded proper at dwelling on his first Chelsea begin, driving with tempo and goal on the coronary heart of the Leverkusen defence from the primary whistle.
Profitable begin: Estevao fired the Blues to victory on debut
Getty Photos
Regardless of his meagre years, the teenager seems primed to take the Premier League by storm after an assured show during which he performed throughout the entrance line.
The best praise you could possibly pay Estevao’s efficiency was the truth that Palmer, a person who at instances regarded burdened by carrying the inventive accountability for Chelsea final season, regarded for the previous Palmeiras man at each alternative.
Chelsea have an abundance of attacking expertise at their disposal, however Estevao will likely be one of many first names on the teamsheet subsequent season.
Josh Acheampong might provide answer to Colwill’s damage
Levi Colwill is about for an prolonged interval on the sidelines after having surgical procedure on an ACL damage this week.
The £37million arrival of 19-year-old Jorrel Hato ought to assist alleviate a few of the pressure, however the Dutch defender has been introduced in predominantly to play full-back.
Even with Hato, who made his debut as a half-time substitute at left-back towards Leverkusen, coming in, Chelsea stay quick in defence, with Wesley Fofana nonetheless working his approach again to health.
It means Josh Acheampong, who began at centre-back towards Leverkusen, might be requested to step up within the early weeks of what guarantees to be an thrilling season, with Chelsea tipped for a title push.
The younger defender, who historically performs as a full-back, regarded assured on the coronary heart of defence, turning away from strain and choosing passes whereas sustaining his composure defensively in what was a moderately heated contest early on.
Acheampong was promoted to the primary staff final season, making 19 appearances in all competitions. Nonetheless, given Chelsea’s propensity for brand new signings, a productive debut marketing campaign under no circumstances affords assurances for the Cobham graduate.
Colwill’s damage, although, has doubtlessly opened one other avenue for minutes for Acheampong. Primarily based on tonight’s efficiency, he seems able to grabbing the chance with each palms.
Chelsea present no indicators of fatigue after Membership World Cup exploits
Chelsea have had just some weeks off since beating PSG within the Membership World Cup last, however they regarded assured in beating Leverkusen tonight.
The ever-reliable Moises Caicedo has lunged from one sort out to the following for the previous twelve months with out a lot as a second to catch his breath, however even he regarded filled with working on a night the place Chelsea dominated in entrance of their very own followers.
The scale of the Blues’ squad means they’re higher geared up than most to take care of the consistently increasing fixture listing.
So, whilst the sport hit a little bit of a lull within the second-half, Enzo Maresca was in a position to inject recent impetus from the bench.
Pedro, who changed fellow summer time signing Liam Delap, sealed the win in added time, ending coolly from Cobham graduate Antwi’s cut-back.
Dario Essugo, in the meantime, supplied power instead of Caicedo, impressing in a sweeper function on the coronary heart of midfield.
Chelsea have already suffered the results of a gruelling marketing campaign in shedding Colwill to an ACL damage this week, however they are going to have loads of solutions to the inevitable issues the congested schedule will throw at them.
