Chelsea claim big win over AC Milan to end preseason losing streak
By Luke Oluoch, August 8, 2026Chelsea FC put their recent pre-season slump behind them with a comfortable 3–0 victory over AC Milan in a friendly clash played on Saturday, August 8, 2026, in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The Blues entered the match on the back of consecutive losses against Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus but finally found their scoring boots to outsmart their Italian opponents.
João Pedro was once again the hero, netting a goal in either half, while Moisés Caicedo also got on the score sheet.
Xabi Alonso heavily rotated his squad, handing minutes to Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, and a host of new signings in Chelsea’s fourth pre-season fixture.
Pedro strikes
The Blues were forced to wait until first-half stoppage time for the opening goal, when the Brazilian striker headed home from a corner kick.
João Pedro doubled the lead after the break, turning home Pedro Neto’s delivery from the right wing past young AC Milan goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani.
The striker has been a standout performer during pre-season alongside Moisés Caicedo, and both continued their stellar individual form for the reigning club World Cup champions.
The Ecuadorian midfielder joined Pedro on the score sheet, extending the advantage with an audacious volley from outside the box in the 50th minute.
Chelsea rolled out a wave of changes around the hour mark, with Geovany Quenda and Nicolas Jackson given crucial minutes to impress.
Final substitutions saw Aarón Anselmino and Jorrel Hato swap positions, while Malang Sarr also got a late cameo as the Blues comfortably held their 3–0 lead.
Jackson came close to adding a fourth following neat footwork inside the box, only to see his low shot strike the upright.
Portuguese starlet Quenda’s shot also met with the same fate as the Blues threatened to end the tie with an even bigger winning margin.
Premier League opener
Chelsea now shift their focus to their final pre-season friendly in Asia on Sunday, August 9, 2026, against Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta’zim.
They will then return home to face La Liga side Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge, a clash that comes just days before