Chelsea beat Milan in pre-season with Pedro on fire

Joao Pedro scores five goals in 251 minutes as Chelsea beat AC Milan 4-1 in a pre-season showing that boosts FPL optimism.

Chelsea ride five goals from Pedro in bold pre-season win

Chelsea beat AC Milan 4-1 in a pre-season friendly on Sunday, following a 2-0 win over Leverkusen on Friday. Pedro scored the opener, Delap added two and an own goal capped the scoring; Pedro Neto supplied the assist and Estevao looked lively on the wing. The lineup mirrors what Enzo Maresca may field for Gameweek 1, with Palmer, James and Caicedo showing no rust and Cucurella pushing forward when space opened up.

Cucurella impressed as a forward option with sustained attacking intent, while Delap’s brace off the bench gave Chelsea a fresh late surge. Levi Colwill’s long-term injury keeps defensive options tighter, and while Wesley Fofana’s return could shape choices, Maresca appears inclined to maintain a stable XI ahead of Crystal Palace. The win adds to a growing sense of momentum around Stamford Bridge ahead of the Premier League season.

Pedro’s hot streak in pre-season turns attention to Chelsea’s attack planning and squad depth. If his form carries into August, Chelsea will face decisions about minutes and rotation in a crowded forward line. Estevao’s quick adaptation signals a wider trend of young players pushing for involvement, backing Maresca’s plans for a versatile front that can adapt to different opponents. The fixtures calendar in early game weeks will test how Chelsea balance ambition with squad management.

Highlights

Momentum matters now, but the real test starts when the season kicks off.