Chaos in Malaysia: 3–3 draw, a brawl, and no penalties
Your team's pre-season ended in farce on Sunday. Chelsea 3–3 against Johor Darul Ta'zim in Malaysia, and the match descended into chaos after a heavy challenge on Liam Delap (3) (7). Xabi Alonso had to physically restrain set-piece coach Austin MacPhee during a touchline brawl that followed the tackle (7).
Then the real mess: the players left the pitch, and the penalty shootout that was reportedly written into the contract never happened (3). The Malaysian side wanted it, Chelsea did not.
Not the preparation anyone wanted two weeks before Fulham.
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Two defenders go down before the season starts
Mamadou Sarr pulled out before kick-off. Aaron Anselmino was forced off during the match in tears (6). That is two defensive injuries in one night, leaving Alonso with a thinning back line ahead of the Premier League opener. Tayo Subuloye replaced Anselmino (6). The timing could hardly be worse.
Chalobah leaves after 19 years
Trevoh Chalobah is gone. The defender has completed a permanent move to Como in a deal worth up to £30m, ending his 19-year association with Chelsea (1) (2). He reunites with Cesc Fabregas, who manages the Serie A side.
"I'm thrilled and honoured to be here at Como. It's an ambitious, rising project, and working with manager Cesc Fabregas again is truly special," Chalobah told the club website (1).
Jørgensen loaned to Strasbourg
Filip Jørgensen has left Chelsea on a straight season-long loan to RC Strasbourg, with no option to buy (5). The goalkeeper departed the pre-season tour to complete the move.
Galatasaray eye Emegha
Galatasaray are interested in Chelsea striker Emmanuel Emegha as backup for Osimhen (9). Nothing concrete yet, but the Turkish club are circling.
Fan reactions
Fans are divided between disbelief and dark humour after the Johor friendly. The Reddit threads are full of confusion over whether Chelsea actually won on penalties, one post simply reads "It says we won in penalties?", while the main talking point is the farcical end to a match that was supposed to include a shootout. Separately, a Mourinho revelation that he almost joined Manchester United in 2013 before returning to Chelsea instead has sparked nostalgia across both fanbases. Read the fallout here.
