Chelsea’s pre-season tour of Australia and Asia continues today with a clash with Juventus in Hong Kong, with Mykhailo Mudryk on the bench.
Xabi Alonso’s side will be looking to bounce back after losing 2-1 to 10-man Tottenham in Sydney last weekend.
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Chelsea lost for the first time under Alonso as Spurs struck with virtually the last kick of the game, and the Blues boss admits his side are not quite where they want to be with three weeks until the start of the new Premier League season.
“We are at the stage of pre-season, so not where we want to be, for sure,” Alonso said in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
Halfway through their pre-season preparations, Alonso will now hope to get some of his senior players up to speed after their staggered returns from the World Cup.
Moises Caicedo and Nicolas Jackson both joined up with the squad last weekend after taking extended leave following the World Cup, but were not involved against Spurs. Caicedo starts today.
Robert Sanchez is also back after missing the defeat by Spurs through injury.
The Spanish goalkeeper will compete against Mike Penders for a place in the side, with the Belgian youngster returning from holiday after the World Cup.
There is also a place in the squad for Mudryk following his return from a doping ban.
The 25-year-old has not played for Chelsea since November 2024, and Alonso admitted he won’t be available to play the full 90 against Juventus.
“He came directly from the airport to the hotel. Yesterday was more about the feelings and emotions, than to assess fitness level. But yes, he could play. 90 minutes too early. He can be selected, he can play,” Alonso said when asked about Mudryk’s fitness.
New signing Danny Welbeck makes his Chelsea debut after arriving from Brighton for an undisclosed fee, as does winger Geovany Quenda.
Quenda, who arrived from Sporting this summer, stayed at Cobham and did not fly out with the rest of the squad to Australia as he recovered from a knock.
Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill do not feature at all against Juventus.
Alonso also remains without those players who reached the latter stages of the World Cup, including British record transfer Morgan Rogers and new signing Jordan Henderson.
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Palestra, Tosin, Fofana, Hato; Nicoll-Jazuli, Caicedo, Quenda, Gittens; Welbeck, Joao Pedro
Time and date: 12.30pm BST on Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Venue: Kai Tak Sports Park, Hong Kong
How to watch: CFC+
