After a convincing 5-0 victory over Wrexham a few days earlier, Chelsea dismantled a formidable Brighton & Hove Albion team, securing a thrilling 4-3 win in Philadelphia in the Premier League Summer Series, making it two wins in two for Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues.
Brighton took an early lead against the flow of the game, courtesy of Danny Welbeck’s close-range strike. However, in the 19th minute, Christopher Nkunku levelled the score for CFC with a clever flick past Jason Steele.
With 25 minutes remaining, Mykhailo Mudryk stunned everyone with a superb strike from the edge of the box, putting The Blues in front. Conor Gallagher extended the lead in the 72nd minute, giving The Blues a comfortable two-goal cushion. Nicolas Jackson also found the net for Chelsea, while Joao Pedro’s penalty reduced the lead with 11 minutes left to play.
Despite Deniz Undav’s late goal in the 89th minute, bringing Brighton close to equalizing, it wasn’t enough to prevent De Zerbi’s side from facing defeat in Philadelphia. CFCheld on to claim their second victory on their USA tour, showing clear signs of improvement under Pochettino’s physical and tactical influence.
Here are three talking points from Chelsea’s second 2023 pre-season match against Brighton on Saturday night in Philadelphia:
Caicedo wasn’t in the Seagulls’ squad
Moises Caicedo was excluded from the Brighton squad due to ongoing discussions about his potential transfer to West London. Despite Roberto De Zerbi’s explanation that Caicedo’s limited training time was the reason for his absence, it seems unlikely he would have played, given the active negotiations between the clubs.
Brighton has set a hefty £100m price tag for the Ecuadorian, and De Zerbi hinted that including Levi Colwill in the deal could facilitate progress. Colwill, who spent last season on loan with the Seagulls, is a player De Zerbi would love to have back on a permanent basis.
However, Colwill had a tough game, conceding a late penalty with a clumsy challenge and being part of a defense that let in three goals. Despite this performance, Pochettino expressed his belief that the 20-year-old could become one of England’s finest center-backs and emphasized his desire to retain him at Stamford Bridge. This stance from Chels’ may not be favorable for their chances of securing the signing of Caicedo.
Nicolas Jackson: the solution to Chelsea striker woes?
Nicolas Jackson is showing all the signs of being a genuine talent for The Blues. Following his impressive performance in the U.S. opener against Wrexham, where he contributed with an assist, Jackson continued to shine in the latest match, once again setting up a goal and finding the back of the net himself.
With only two games under his belt as a Chelsea player, ‘Nics’ Jackson is already demonstrating his ability to create goal-scoring opportunities. This attribute has been a missing element in the team’s attacking prowess for quite some time, making Jackson’s presence even more valuable.
It’s safe to say that Jackson has exceeded initial expectations, and his current form suggests that he will play a much more significant role in the upcoming season than initially anticipated. If he maintains this level of performance, his impact on the team’s success could be greater than anyone could have imagined. Chelsea fans have every reason to be excited about what the future holds for this promising newcomer.
Mykhailo Mudryk is a confidence player
Ever since Mykhailo Mudryk’s arrival at West London in January 2023, he has been determined to showcase his abilities to the fans, and there are now promising signs that the Ukrainian winger is set to have a breakthrough season. Against Brighton, the 22-year-old displayed his goal-scoring prowess and blistering pace, leaving supporters excited for what’s to come.
Mudryk’s dedication to improving his game is evident, as he has put in hard work on the training ground and in the gym to prepare for the upcoming season with Chelsea. His physical transformation is noticeable in promotional photo shoots for the club. After a disappointing start at Stamford Bridge following his winter transfer, where he managed only two assists in 15 Premier League appearances, fans were left questioning his future with the club, especially considering the hefty £89 million price tag.
However, the beginning of the pre-season has been a revelation for Mudryk, renewing hopes among Carefree supporters for a remarkable league campaign ahead. His abilities are not solely dependent on his pace, as demonstrated by his creative and clinical partnership with Nicolas Jackson, leading to a well-executed goal that found the bottom corner of the net.
The quality displayed in his finish, taking the ball on the half-volley from the edge of the box, was not a characteristic feature of his game last season. The Ukrainian struggled to find the back of the net, squandering numerous golden opportunities, which understandably impacted his confidence, deviating from the form he showcased during his time at Shakhtar Donetsk before joining the blue side of London.
Nonetheless, with his electrifying pre-season performances, Mudryk seems determined to make amends and recapture his previous form. CFC fans are eager to witness the young winger’s continued development and contributions in the upcoming season, hoping that he will fulfil the potential that made him such an exciting signing for the club. Next up for Chelsea in the Premier League Summer Series is Champions League side Newcastle United on Wednesday at the beautiful Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.