CHELSEA drew with Borussia Dortmund in the last pre-season friendly of their United States tour.
Mason Burstow, 19, netted a last-minute equaliser for the Blues after Marius Wolf bagged the opener for the Bundesliga side at Chicago’s Soldier Field.
Mauricio Pochettino’s new club next face Liverpool in their Premier League opener and the Argentine has plenty to ponder when selecting his first team.
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Now the real work starts for Argentine boss
Mauricio Pochettino will be pleased that his side have completed their US tour and remained unbeaten.
However, he is experienced enough to know that the challenges the Premier League offers will be far more testing this season.
There are no easy games in Europe’s top league and Pochettino will need to make sure his side are at it every game.
Chelsea fans will be pleased with the evolution of the side they are already seeing under the new manager and will be hoping to get off to a winning start when Liverpool visit for their opening game.
Credit: Reuters Carney ready to party for Blues
Carney Chukwuemeka showed why he is such a highly rated midfielder at the young age still of 19-years-old.
There was a lot of interest in the player when he left Aston Villa but it was Chelsea who managed to secure his services.
The player has said that Pochettino has told him to go and express himself on the pitch this season and he really seems to be doing that.
His bursting runs through the centre of midfield could be pivotal to Chelsea’s midfield three with the more defensive minded Gallagher and Fernandez alongside him.
Qualities there for all to see
Mykhailo Mudryk is showing in glimpses the abilities that led to Chelsea to paying so much money to gazump the player’s move to Arsenal last season.
He found it difficult last campaign in a struggling side and will be hoping to show what he is all about this season.
One thing is for sure, his pace is electric and he could cause problems for any defence.
He just needs to pick the right options, as sometimes he can be too greedy, when there are much better options available.
It will be interesting to see what Mauricio Pochettino can do with the player.
FT: Chelsea 1-1 Dortmund
Both sides will feel they may have done enough to sneak the win in this game had things broke their way.
Chelsea showed some good passion to keep coming at Dortmund after going behind, managing to find a very late equaliser.
The Blues looked a much better proposition in the second half and Mudryk in particular put in a good shift.
FT: Chelsea 1-1 Dortmund
It is all over at Soldier’s Field in Chicago.
A late Chelsea equaliser ends their USA pre-season tour does not end in defeat.
Probably a fair reflection on the game as a whole.
Chelsea 1-1 Dortmund
90+2. Dortmund swing in another corner that causes problems for the Chelsea defence.
Unable to clear their lines, the ball comes out to the edge of the box but Haller’s effort goes harmlessly wide.
Nervous times for The Blues then.
Chelsea 1-1 Dortmund
90. Mudryk’s free kick is headed back across the six yard box.
Burstow rises and gets a head to it, with the ball looping into the far corner.
We are going to have three additional minutes here.
Credit: Reuters Goal – Mason Burstow (Chelsea)
Chelsea 0-1 Dortmund
88. Mudryk seems to have switched wings now in the closing stages.
He goes down under the challenge of Brandt and the referee awards a free kick to Chelsea.
The Ukrainian stands over the ball, looking to find an equaliser.
Chelsea 0-1 Dortmund
86. Despite their good start to the second half, Chelsea have looked really stretched when Dortmund come forward.
There seems to be a lack of cohesion in the back line.
Mudryk attacks down the right but his cross is too lofted and not something anyone can take advantage of.
Chelsea 0-1 Dortmund
84. Pochettino will learn more about his squad today in this game than he will have done in the previous game against Fulham.
It has been a completely different challenge.
Wolf shoots from distance and Kepa has to tip it around the post for a corner.
Chelsea 0-1 Dortmund
82. Dortmund will definitely take this scoreline now.
Burstow is fouled in a wide position and a free kick is awarded.
Mudryk whips in a great cross but Colwill cannot turn it in at the back post.
Chelsea 0-1 Dortmund
80. As the corner comes in, a weak punch from Kepa does not clear the ball far enough.
The ball is struck into the box, deflects off a Chelsea player, straight into the path of Wolf.
He puts it passed Kepa from close range to put the Germans ahead.
Credit: AFP Goal – Marius Wolf (Dortmund)
Chelsea 0-0 Dortmund
78. Bamba has looked a handful since coming on for Dortmund.
He gets around the pitch, dragging defenders out of position.
Pochettino has been very vocal on the touchline this evening.
Chelsea 0-0 Dortmund
76. Both sides are having a go now in the final 15 minutes of the game.
Chelsea are knocking the ball around well but are struggling to find that killer pass in the final third.
Dortmund would probably take the draw right now.
Chelsea 0-0 Dortmund
74. Chelsea are trying to put the pressure on with some crosses into the Dortmund box.
They are lacking a focal point in the middle to get on the end of them though.
For someone who looks comfortable with the ball at his feet, Kepa really does pick the wrong pass more often than not.
Chelsea 0-0 Dortmund
72. As we observe the drinks break, it looks like Pochettino is going to make some changes.
Emre Can has come on for Dortmund now.
Fans will remember him from his time at Liverpool.
Gusto and Cucurella have come on for The Blues.
Chelsea 0-0 Dortmund
70. It will be an interesting season for Chelsea this term.
With no European football, they will be able to concentrate all their attentions on their domestic form.
While getting back into the Champions League will be a main aim, the fans would love to see a trophy at Stamford Bridge.
Other than the Summer Series cup that is.
Credit: AFP Chelsea 0-0 Dortmund
68. One thing The Blues will need to address before the transfer window closes is a ‘Plan B’ up front.
If anything happens to Jackson or he is going through a dry patch in front of goal, they do not have many options.
Especially if Lukaku is heading back to Italy again this season.
Chelsea 0-0 Dortmund
66. You can see with Mudryk that he does have a lot of skill and ability.
What Pochettino is going to have to do is to get the Ukrainian to use it in the right way.
All too often he gets excited in front of goal when he has far better options than trying to rifle one in the top corner from 30 yards.
Chelsea 0-0 Dortmund
64. Mudryk does brilliantly to take the ball down as the ball is switched by James from the right to left flank.
He tries to use his pace, running at the defence, doing a stepover in the process.
As he looks to shoot from distance, his effort is easily blocked.
Chelsea 0-0 Dortmund
62. Sterling goes down in the Dortmund box but the referee isn’t interested at all.
To be fair he didn’t really appeal for anything, the replay shows it was a perfectly timed challenge by the Dortmund man.
James does well to shepherd the ball out as the German side look to put pressure on Kepa’s goal.
Chelsea 0-0 Dortmund
60. Jackson will be the thorn in the side of many Premier League defenders this season.
His energy levels alone will cause all sorts of problems.
Sterling is fouled on the halfway line winning a free kick.
Ozcan is shown a yellow card for the challenge.
Credit: AP Chelsea 0-0 Dortmund
58. The sharpness of Nicolas Jackson has been impressive tonight.
He is always pressing the opponent’s defenders and is making runs into the channels for the pass when Chelsea have it.
Whatever Pochettino said at half time, seems to be having the desired effect after Chelsea’s lacklustre first half display.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
