After a comfortable 3-0 win over RZ Pellets, Chelsea rounded off their pre-season tour of Austria with a resounding 8-0 win in a closed door friendly against Atus Ferlach.
Conte’s men have now jetted off to America to compete in the International Champions Cup – where they will face Liverpool, Real Madrid and finish off against AC Milan. With the first match of this conventional pre-season tournament being Liverpool in Pasadena on the 31st July.
Coming into the game against Liverpool, competent youngsters Ola Aina and Ruben Loftus-Cheek will be hoping to consolidate their places within Conte’s squad, after impressive showings against both Rapid Wien and RZ Pellets.
As for Liverpool, they will be brimming with confidence having won four consecutive games against Tranmere Rovers, Fleetwood Town, Wigan Athletic and Huddersfield Town.
The emergence of 16-year-old academy product Ben Woodburn has got many Liverpool fans excited – following two goals in the four games, although he has been left behind for the tour of America. One player who won’t be left behind, however, is the ever impressive Marko Grujic, with the new signing proving his worth with two goals from central midfield during his three games.
One player who won’t be left behind, however, is the ever impressive Marko Grujic, with the new signing proving his worth with two goals from central midfield during his three games.
Chelsea’s answer to Grujic is the athletic English powerhouse, Loftus-Cheek, who has been moved from a deeper midfield role into a more advanced position behind the striker. Loftus-Cheek has seemingly thrived in this position, instantly striking up a partnership with Belgian forward Michy Batshuayi – through his incisive passing and physical presence.
Nigerian winger Victor Moses has also risen to prominence once again in pre-season. With his direct running and driven passes causing numerous problems for defenders, and enabling the two strikers to work off his incisive passing.
Liverpool vs Chelsea is sure to be a much-anticipated encounter, and you can be sure that both Conte and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will be up for the fight – despite the connotations that friendlies are meaningless. You can see the game live on ChelseaTV kicking off at 4:35am UK time.
