Chelsea aren’t remotely ready for Manchester City! Winners and losers as Lesley Ugochukwu’s late leveller against Inter saves Enzo Maresca from another pre-season defeat

The Blues snatched a last-gasp equaliser in their final friendly before their Premier League opener but they remain worryingly inefficient.

Chelsea salvaged a last-minute equaliser in their final pre-season match before the Premier League opener, but their inefficiency remains a major concern. The Blues required a late goal from Lesley Ugochukwu to secure a 1-1 draw with Inter Milan on Sunday. Despite dominating possession at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea fell behind in the 26th minute due to a defensive lapse, which allowed Marcus Thuram to score.

Chelsea ramped up their efforts in the second half and earned a draw with Ugochukwu’s last-minute strike. The match highlighted several issues: Christopher Nkunku’s impact was evident with a close overhead kick, suggesting he could be crucial if fit, while new signing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall failed to impress, offering little in attack or defense.

Marcus Thuram, rebounding from a disappointing Euro 2024, scored a confident goal for Inter, showcasing his quality despite recent struggles. Mykhailo Mudryk’s performance was underwhelming, marked by flashes of skill but lacking tangible results, which might jeopardize his future at Chelsea, especially with Pedro Neto now in the squad.

Marc Guiu, making his debut, showed promise with his energetic play, though he may not immediately resolve Chelsea’s scoring issues. Enzo Maresca, relieved to avoid a third consecutive pre-season defeat, faces a daunting challenge as Chelsea’s preparations have been far from convincing. With only one friendly win this summer, Chelsea appear ill-prepared for their upcoming clash with Manchester City.