Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca expressed confidence ahead of his second season at the West London club, as his team gears up for the new campaign following their Club World Cup triumph and a flawless pre-season.
Chelsea clinched the Club World Cup in July with an emphatic 3-0 win over European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the final, and wrapped up their pre-season on Sunday with a commanding 4-1 victory over AC Milan at Stamford Bridge.
Their new forward signings, Joao Pedro and Liam Delap, were both on the scoresheet against Milan, who were reduced to 10 men after defender Andrei Coubis was sent off in the 18th minute.
"I think the performance was very good until the red card. We started the way we wanted - intense and with a high tempo on and off the ball," Maresca said on Saturday.
"The red card changed a little bit the game but it's also normal as Milan started pre-season 40 days ago and this was their sixth friendly."
Chelsea had earlier defeated Bundesliga runners-up Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 in their opening pre-season friendly on Friday.
"It's our second one (pre-season game). But overall I'm very happy, and now we start the Premier League," the Italian added.
"I'm confident in general and excited. We have another long season ahead and we are going to try to do our best."
Brazilian Pedro continued his goal-scoring exploits since joining Chelsea from fellow Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion in July, scoring his fifth goal in as many games for the Blues.
The 23-year-old was full of praise for his teammate Delap, who netted a brace against Milan.
"I don't want to say competition, I think it is very good for Chelsea to have both strikers at a good level. In the last game, he did not score. Today, he scored two goals. I am very happy for him," Pedro told Channel 5.
Chelsea host newly-crowned FA Community Shield winners Crystal Palace in their Premier League opener on August 17.
Isahia77
0
As daft as you are, I have schooled you on another team which has 20 EPL trophies just accept it and next time do your research well before you post nonsense. Take your dictionary and find out the meaning of daft.
you see how stupid you are it's so shameful you can't boost of your own team that shows how foolish you are with your useless Chelsea team
frastel
0
world champion inside your room
We are the world whether you cry or not we are the world champions. It's boldly written in history and delusional perception wouldn't change anything so you be abreast with or not. It's your own cup of tea.
frastel
0
talk about your own useless Chelsea leave Liverpool alone idiot...
As daft as you are, I have schooled you on another team which has 20 EPL trophies just accept it and next time do your research well before you post nonsense. Take your dictionary and find out the meaning of daft.
Isahia77
0
You have become a kush and tramadol adict due to the severe mind illness Arsenal have caused you bro, my symphaty o.
chai why all this Chelsea fans be mumu and idiot like this a team like arsenal wey never win any European trophy b4 no EPL for the past 20yrs a team man u once beat 8. 2 so wetin be the thing arsenal cause me..hiss you are a compound fool
Isahia77
0
Which trophy is better than a World Cup. Any one who says the club world cup is not a major trophy says it out of jealousy or it's because his/her team couldn't win it. Look at how Real Madrid was desperate to win it. A gentle reminder!! The 2022 world cup was also played in December when the season was underway, so was it also a pre season trophy. Cry more coz we are the world champions
world champion inside your room
Isahia77
0
You see how stupid you have been all this while. How can you tell us Manchester United is the only team with 20 EPL trophies in England. Gentle reminder!!! Liverpool has 20 EPL trophies as well
talk about your own useless Chelsea leave Liverpool alone idiot...
frastel
0
other teams they win better trophies nah conference and pre season cup dey una hand world champion my foot
Your team might never win this trophy because even to qualify, you need to win UCL in a space of 4 years. Chelsea qualified cos we won UCL in 2021 and Man City in 2023. Hmmmmmm another route is the UEFA coefficient rule and in that case other teams are going to get the nod over Man Utd cos this year u won't play and same as the next three years.
frastel
0
Manchester United we are the red devils the only club with 20 EPL
You see how stupid you have been all this while. How can you tell us Manchester United is the only team with 20 EPL trophies in England. Gentle reminder!!! Liverpool has 20 EPL trophies as well
frastel
0
other teams they win better trophies nah conference and pre season cup dey una hand world champion my foot
Which trophy is better than a World Cup. Any one who says the club world cup is not a major trophy says it out of jealousy or it's because his/her team couldn't win it. Look at how Real Madrid was desperate to win it. A gentle reminder!! The 2022 world cup was also played in December when the season was underway, so was it also a pre season trophy. Cry more coz we are the world champions
ice411
0
that glory dey pain you oo chai 20 EPL it's not easy while your useless Chelsea has 5 bro we no be mate do you know maths remove 5 from 20 bro it's a long way you can't meet up it's a shame
Me and 15th position no get to say Go talk to clubs like Sunderland
colepalmer05
0
let see who will cry it's just matter of time
you smoke bomb π£ ππ
jadacdint
0
better teams they win better trophies cause u won failure cup conference league and pre season cup cwc we no go hear word again don't worry season go soon start
You have become a kush and tramadol adict due to the severe mind illness Arsenal have caused you bro, my symphaty o.
jadacdint
0
somebody would be calling 911, when Chelsea blaze that π₯ π₯ works.
Zeeki
0
hahaha this one pain you oo
Gan he pain ham ππ€£π
Zeeki
0
when man utd won the CWC you have not started watching ball I guess but you can Google it
See this one, when don born u self ππππ
Isahia77
0
Make ur club Win ham first bro And how CWC be preseason cup?
when man utd won the CWC you have not started watching ball I guess but you can Google it
Isahia77
0
May God have mercy on you. I was just waiting to hear it from you. Just see person wey never see em period. Lolπ Don't worry, nah 16th you go finish this season. Be watching.. Werey You dey use past glory dey boost. π€£π€£π€£
that glory dey pain you oo chai 20 EPL it's not easy while your useless Chelsea has 5 bro we no be mate do you know maths remove 5 from 20 bro it's a long way you can't meet up it's a shame
fowbnoptuy
1
better teams they win better trophies cause u won failure cup conference league and pre season cup cwc we no go hear word again don't worry season go soon start
shame and failure are all over you. No wonder you are faceless. You are ashame of your club. we are Chelsea bold and tough
Musahh5
1
Crystal palace are nt food to eat...
kuhklpstz
2
you called champions of the world mumu if your team is Chelsea by now you are still celebrating mumu man like you
ice411
0
Manchester United we are the red devils the only club with 20 EPL
May God have mercy on you. I was just waiting to hear it from you. Just see person wey never see em period. Lolπ Don't worry, nah 16th you go finish this season. Be watching.. Werey You dey use past glory dey boost. π€£π€£π€£
Isahia77
0
Werey still dn fail exam Omo, you get block head o You dey fear to mention your club? Even if I know the club I just want you to mention it yourself π
Manchester United we are the red devils the only club with 20 EPL
ice411
0
see compound idiot oo do you know the club with 20 EPL titles you might not know you are still a child in football world.... ask your elders in your family
Werey still dn fail exam Omo, you get block head o You dey fear to mention your club? Even if I know the club I just want you to mention it yourself π
Isahia77
0
As for your darling club.. Lol Werey dey fear to mention his Club π
see compound idiot oo do you know the club with 20 EPL titles you might not know you are still a child in football world.... ask your elders in your family
ice411
0
the CWC is so special in your eyes because that is Chelsea level ...as for my darling club we aim for higher well known trophy mumu fans with mumu club
As for your darling club.. Lol Werey dey fear to mention his Club π
Isahia77
0
What about CWC werey Jealousy, that's why your club won't go far
the CWC is so special in your eyes because that is Chelsea level ...as for my darling club we aim for higher well known trophy mumu fans with mumu club
ice411
0
funny idiot my club better not win any trophies than winning conference useless league for failure team like Chelsea
What about CWC werey Jealousy, that's why your club won't go far
Isahia77
0
As e dey pain them, e dey sweet us π Chelsea for life π
funny idiot my club better not win any trophies than winning conference useless league for failure team like Chelsea
Geebabs
0
like the foolishness that comes from your generation to you and your children or unborn children
is everything ok at home?? why am I sensing frustration in your comments?
Hiobcderuz
0
I feel your pain [Crylaugh]
ice411
0
He fit be woman π«£ππ
Ohh Ah for say..
Zeeki
0
He must be a Man United or an Arsenal fans. They both are of the same level, so hatred is not a new thing
I no even care if he be Barca self how he go make that kind statement say CWC nah preseason cup
Zeeki
0
I no sure if that boi dey watch football Achwell π
He fit be woman π«£ππ
Barongagz02
0
Nah why I tag ham, he even call CWC preseason cup ππ
He must be a Man United or an Arsenal fans. They both are of the same level, so hatred is not a new thing
ice411
0
Nah why I tag ham, he even call CWC preseason cup ππ
I no sure if that boi dey watch football Achwell π
Zeeki
1
No mind the he-goat
Nah why I tag ham, he even call CWC preseason cup ππ
ice411
2
mumu team nothing for you this season
As e dey pain them, e dey sweet us π Chelsea for life π
ice411
0
@isahia77 bro if nah ur club win this trophy π, you self go make mouth oooo
No mind the he-goat
Zeeki
0
@isahia77 bro if nah ur club win this trophy π, you self go make mouth oooo
Zeeki
0
other teams they win better trophies nah conference and pre season cup dey una hand world champion my foot
Make ur club Win ham first bro And how CWC be preseason cup?
Zeeki
0
better teams they win better trophies cause u won failure cup conference league and pre season cup cwc we no go hear word again don't worry season go soon start
Some people funny π, so CWC nah preseason trophy ππππ
Ticeilmtyz
0
its true we are log leaders this season
Watcdkrtuz
0
better teams they win better trophies cause u won failure cup conference league and pre season cup cwc we no go hear word again don't worry season go soon start
You call Club World Cup a failure cup? Habamana, give respect to those who deserve it
Richardoghale
0
let see who will cry it's just matter of time
Matter of time for what, you stupid son of a stupid f@ther
Richardoghale
0
better teams they win better trophies cause u won failure cup conference league and pre season cup cwc we no go hear word again don't worry season go soon start
You and your d@d are big fools
VIKINGSB
1
let see who will cry it's just matter of time
You've started already, so enjoy...
Bigkid97
2
Up Chelsea
Teycimnuyz
2
We go dy alway the surprise the world
Saddituz
2
WE ARE CHELSEA AND WE DON'T CARE ABOUT CRITICS
Fumblmnopr
2
Chelsea strong but they need to.play regular 11 players so they can gel as a team