While the result is never important in pre-season friendlies, Chelsea fans will likely have been hoping to see more from their side in their second fixture of the summer.
The Blues were on the wrong end of a 4-1 scoreline against Celtic, with only Christopher Nkunku’s late penalty bringing any positivity to the result.
A lot of players will have been hoping to make more of an impression on Enzo Maresca ahead of the opening fixture of the Premier League at Stamford Bridge.
The likes of Romeo Lavia took a step back in that department though, with work certainly needing to be done before they host Manchester City in August.
What was interesting though is looking at the players who didn’t even make the pitch in the second friendly, with one of those being vice-captain Ben Chilwell.
Ben Chilwell should be very worried for Chelsea place
There is little confidence over the England international starting the season after the resurgence of Marc Cucurella in that position, however with him not being on the tour it seemed an opportunity had emerged for him to establish himself.
However, Levi Colwill started in the role most similar to where he would play, and Renato Veiga was used off the bench for his first appearance for the club.
The £50m signing from 2020 has seen his stock at the club drop over the last two years off the back of some serious injury problems, and it currently looks difficult to see a position where he can excel in Maresca’s system.
Marc Cucurella likely to start new season
The upcoming friendlies in the United States will provide opportunities for the entire squad to continue to work on their match sharpness, however the fact Chilwell wasn’t used at all would suggest he is not figuring too highly in the manager’s thinking.
Cucurella will only join up with the squad a couple of weeks before the season gets underway, however would certainly be favoured to feature against the champions.
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