Chelsea cruise past AC Milan 3-0 in pre-season friendly

Chelsea continued their pre-season preparations with a commanding 3-0 victory over AC Milan on Saturday, with new signing Joao Pedro grabbing a brace and Moises Caicedo scoring a stunner. The friendly, played behind closed doors at Stamford Bridge, gave Blues fans plenty to cheer about as the team clicked into gear ahead of the new season.

Joao Pedro, who arrived from Brighton earlier this summer, opened the scoring in the first half and then added a second after the break to put the game beyond doubt. His movement and finishing caught the eye, offering a glimpse of the attacking threat he brings to Enzo Maresca's side.

Caicedo's strike seals the win

Caicedo, who has been a mainstay in midfield since his big-money move from Brighton, capped off the performance with a long-range effort that flew into the top corner. The Ecuadorian's goal drew applause from the coaching staff and players alike, underlining his growing influence in the team.

It was a polished display from Chelsea, who controlled large spells of the game and rarely looked troubled at the back. Milan, for their part, struggled to create clear-cut chances and were largely restricted to half-openings that Chelsea's defence dealt with comfortably.

Milan's pre-season concerns

For AC Milan, the result adds to a mixed pre-season under new manager Rúben Amorim. Reports from Italy suggest at least four players were marked down in post-match assessments, with concerns over the team's pressing and organisation. The Rossoneri have shown flashes of promise in earlier friendlies, but this performance raised questions about their readiness for the Serie A opener.

Italian media were blunt in their verdicts, with some outlets pointing to a lack of creativity in midfield and a disjointed defensive shape. Amorim, who took charge in the summer, will have plenty of work to do before the competitive fixtures begin.

What the result means

For Chelsea, this was another positive step in their pre-season schedule. The team has been building fitness and sharpness, and the win over a top European side adds to the sense of momentum. Joao Pedro's double will particularly please the fans, who have been eager to see how the Brazilian settles into the squad.

Caicedo's goal, meanwhile, was a reminder of the quality in this Chelsea midfield. With the new Premier League season fast approaching, Maresca will be encouraged by the balance and intensity his side showed against Milan.

Attention now turns to the remaining pre-season fixtures, with Chelsea expected to face a couple more tests before the campaign kicks off. Milan, on the other hand, will look to iron out their issues in training and upcoming friendlies, with Amorim keen to see improvement from his squad.

Both clubs will be hoping to carry the lessons from this match into their respective league campaigns, which begin in the coming weeks.