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Chelsea vs Juventus: Caicedo and Pedro continue fine runs as Blues’ pre-season concerns mount
07th August, 2026 10:07 AM
Moises Caicedo and Joao Pedro ranked among Chelsea’s first-team stars who impressed as the Blues ramped up their pre-season with another test against Juventus on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, in a friendly.
Blues’ preseason form took another hit as a lone goal extended their search for a second victory. Having kicked off their friendly campaign with a high-scoring 6–4 win over Western Sydney Wanderers, the Blues were handed a setback following Eden Zhegrova’s stunning strike, which stretched their struggles following a late defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on August 1, 2026, in Australia.
Chelsea named 21 substitutes for the encounter, though several key players, including summer recruits such as Valentín Barco, Maxence Lacroix, Jordan Henderson, and record signing Morgan Rogers, remained unavailable due to extended breaks following their World Cup commitments.
Despite the loss, a few regulars continued their fine preseason form. Here is a look at three players who could prove crucial in Xabi Alonso’s new-look side:
1. Jamie Gittens
The Englishman enjoyed an impressive outing against Spurs and carried that momentum into the match against their Italian opposition. Turning 22 this Saturday, Gittens looks poised to claim a regular first-team spot under Alonso if his preseason minutes are anything to go by.
Having already registered a goal and an assist in preseason, his lively performances on the flanks make him a dangerous prospect for the upcoming campaign.
2. João Pedro
With contract extension talks underway, João Pedro’s role leading Chelsea’s attack remains pivotal. He was a central figure during Chelsea’s period of improvement under former manager Liam Rosenior, and he looks set for a major role under Alonso.
While offensive reinforcements have so far seen Danny Welbeck roped in to augment his talent, he remains poised to lead the line as the Blues’ primary No. 9.
Moisés Caicedo
The Ecuadorian continues to write his name into Chelsea history books as the engine of the midfield. While doubts linger around Enzo Fernández’s availability, Caicedo remains the team’s ultimate anchorman. He put in another solid two-way display in the loss to Juventus, excelling in both defensive transition and attacking build-up.
Trip to Jakarta
Following the defeat, Chelsea will travel to Jakarta, Indonesia and Malaysia for back-to-back fixtures on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Stadium, where they face AC Milan.
They will then later play against Johor Darul Ta’zim in Malaysia.
With pressure already mounting on Alonso, the upcoming matches offer the technical bench a vital opportunity to claim a win and calm supporters’ nerves before the competitive season kicks off.
