Chelsea kicked off their 2025/26 preseason with a confident 2–0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen at Stamford Bridge, marking their first match since lifting the FIFA Club World Cup trophy. The game featured a dazzling debut from Estêvão Willian, a late strike from João Pedro, and promising signs from a refreshed Chelsea squad under Enzo Maresca.

 Match Summary

• Fixture: Chelsea vs Bayer Leverkusen
• Date: August 8, 2025
• Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
• Result: Chelsea 2–0 Bayer Leverkusen
• Competition: Club Friendly

Key Match Moments

⚽ Estêvão Introduces Himself in Style

In the 18th minute, Estêvão Willian, Chelsea’s new Brazilian wonderkid signed from Palmeiras, opened the scoring with a composed volley after Cole Palmer’s clever chip hit the crossbar. Estêvão dazzled throughout the first half with his pace, footwork, and positional awareness—quickly winning over the Stamford Bridge crowd.

⚽ João Pedro Seals the Win

After replacing Liam Delap, who struggled to make an impact, João Pedro made his mark in the 90th minute with a clinical finish into the bottom corner. His movement and sharpness in the box suggest he could be a key figure in Chelsea’s attacking plans this season.

Chelsea Squad Insights

Chelsea’s lineup featured a mix of youth and experience:

• Estêvão, Andrey Santos, and Liam Delap made their first appearances at Stamford Bridge.
• Cole Palmer continued his fine form, linking well with Estêvão and creating multiple chances.
• Moises Caicedo and Marc Cucurella provided stability in midfield and defense.
• Filip Jorgensen kept a clean sheet with solid saves, including two key stops from Alex Grimaldo’s free kicks.

Despite missing several players due to injury—including Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, and Enzo Fernández—Chelsea looked sharp and cohesive.

Tactical Takeaways

• Enzo Maresca’s system emphasized fluid movement and quick transitions.
• Estêvão operated both on the wing and centrally, showing tactical flexibility.
• Chelsea’s pressing and ball recovery were aggressive, limiting Leverkusen’s chances.

 Leverkusen’s Struggles Under Ten Hag

Erik ten Hag’s Bayer Leverkusen side failed to threaten consistently. With key players like Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong now at Liverpool, and new signings like Mark Flekken and Jarell Quansah yet to gel, Leverkusen looked disjointed.

Their best chance came early in the second half when Patrik Schick’s effort was blocked by Tosin Adarabioyo. Otherwise, Chelsea controlled the tempo and territory.

What’s Next for Chelsea?

Chelsea will face AC Milan in their final preseason fixture before the Premier League kicks off. With more signings expected and key players returning from injury, the Blues look poised for a strong campaign.

Final Thoughts

Chelsea’s 2–0 win over Bayer Leverkusen was more than a preseason tune-up—it was a statement. With Estêvão’s breakout performance, João Pedro’s sharpness, and Maresca’s tactical clarity, the Blues are building momentum ahead of the new season.


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Stay tuned for more Chelsea match reports, transfer updates, and tactical breakdowns.