Chelsea vs Newcastle ended in a square on Wednesday. As the Blues continued their USA pre-season tour, continuing their unbeaten streak on their pre-season tour so far.
Mauricio Pochettino is obviously doing a marvelous job at Chelsea. Nobody expected him to improve the team within a short period of time.
However, he has massively improved the team. They are still unbeaten on their pre-season tour, winning two games and drawing one.
Even though it’s club friendly, Brighton Albion and Newcastle are the Blues kryptonites. Amazingly, Mauricio Pochettino’s troops played impressively.
Speaking of Chelsea vs Newcastle on Wednesday. The West London club dazzled brilliantly, pressing very well, both defensively and offensively.
Nicolas Jackson was the only goal-scorer for the Blues. Of course, the 22-year-old Senegalese has now scored 3 goals and registered 3 assists on their pre-season tour.
Chelsea stats vs NewcastleÂ
50% ball possession
12 goal attempts
5 shots on goal
7 shots off goal
10 free-kicks
5 corner kicks
17 goals
Apparently, the West London club deserved the victory on Wednesday. However, Newcastle were able to score as a result of Marc Cucurella’s silky mistake.
The Spanish left-back was brilliant throughout the first 40 minutes. Unfortunately, he cheaply gave away a goal, as the Magpies equalized before halftime ended.
Nevertheless, there are some takeaways from Chelsea vs Newcastle. At least, it’s an opportunity to know the Blues weak points.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men will be facing Liverpool in August, as their Premier League opener. Therefore, they have to stay balanced on their pre-season tour.
Chelsea vs Newcastle: 10 takeaway points from the matchÂ
First-halfÂ
The Argentine gaffer started the game with the 4-at-the-back formation. It was a 4-2 shape in buildup play, and somehow a 3-2 shape in attack.
1. Nicolas Jackson would terrorize the Premier LeagueÂ
Obviously, the 22-year-old Senegalese central-forward scored the only goal on Wednesday. He was a nightmare for the Magpies at the back.
Jackson has proven many people wrong on their USA pre-season tour. It’s believed that he’s ready for the toxicity in the Premier League.
His ball movement and link-up play were amazing against Newcastle. He’s the type of striker the Blues family have been waiting for.
Also, his combination with Mykhailo Mudryk continues up front. They both destroyed the Magpies at the back, showing off their attacking prowess.
2. Ian Maatsen’s intelligence
Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that he’s keeping the 21-year-old Dutchman. He was very impressive against the Magpies on Wednesday.
Despite playing out of his natural position. His passing skills and awareness were flawless, and he contributed massively to the team’s attack.
Ian Maatsen assisted Nicolas Jackson’s goal against Newcastle. He played as a right winger, showing off his creativity and intelligence from the right flank.
Of course, the 21-year-old Dutchman is a left-back. However, due to an excess of options in that position, Pochettino decided to play him as an attacker, which he delivered.
3. Mykhailo Mudryk’s confidenceÂ
The Ukrainian Neymar has improved within a short time under Mauricio Pochettino. He was electric against the Magpies on Wednesday.
Frankly, Mudryk didn’t perform amazingly like he did against Brighton Albion. However, it was such a cool and simple 45 minutes for him.
In the 2022-2023, Mykhailo lost many ball possessions. Because of his confidence on the ball was very poor, adding nothing to the team’s attack.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian youngster was such a different player on Wednesday. He showed his full confidence on the ball, keeping possession of it.
4. Mykhailo Mudryk and Christopher Nkunku combination
The two attackers have only played two games together. As a result, they haven’t really understood each other on the pitch, it was obvious on Wednesday.
Nkunku and Mudryk’s defensive contributions were poor against the Magpies. Therefore, they literally overloaded Marc Cucurella, resulting in the second goal.
Of course, it’s a massive gap that Mauricio Pochettino would have to work on. Because he’s most likely to start the two players together against Liverpool in August.
Christopher Nkunku was excellent as an attacking midfielder. However, his combination with Mudryk wasn’t good enough, after watching them on Wednesday.
5. Marc Cucurella’s defensiveness
The Spanish left-back continued to surprise the world with his defensive prowess. He was poor defensively against the Magpies, leading to the equalizer.
Fortunately, Mauricio Pochettino has many options at the left-back position. There are Ben Chilwell, Lewis Hall, and Ian Maatsen as options.
Marc Cucurella was exceptional offensively against Newcastle. He contributed very well to the team’s attack, but he made a mistake in the first-half.
Of course, that showed more reasons why Chelsea need Moisés Caicedo of Brighton Albion. His defensive prowess will go a long way at Chelsea, helping the squad.
Second-halfÂ
Speaking of Mauricio Pochettino’s tactics. The second-half was more like 2-3 at the back, with fullbacks pushing forward, inverting into the midfield.
6. Raheem Sterling’s wide role
Of course, Mykhailo Mudryk was subbed off in the second-half, and Noni Madueke wasn’t part of the squad. As a result, there was a little dynamism in the attack.
As a result, Raheem Sterling played as a wide attacker. However, he didn’t add anything to the team’s offensive performance, running aimlessly on the pitch.
Mauricio Pochettino confirmed that the team will need Sterling’s experience. Meanwhile, the Englishman hasn’t been performing well on their USA pre-season tour.
Raheem is most likely to start from the bench against Liverpool in the Premier League. He keeps dazzling poorly as a wide attacker.
7. Andrey Santos magnificent display
In all fairness, the Brazilian youngster has the ability to play as Enzo Fernández’s pivot. He continues to amaze the Blues with his displays.
Andrey Santos hasn’t dropped a sincker since the start of their USA pre-season tour. He has been showing his maturity in the midfield.
The Brazilian international played as a defensive midfielder against Brighton Albion. And he handled the same position flawlessly on Wednesday.
As an alternative to Moisés Caicedo. Chelsea are most likely to keep Andrey Santos this season, his defensive awareness is enough to succeed in the Premier League.
8. Malo Gusto’s defensive prowess
The Frenchman isn’t joking defensively. He silenced Brighton Albion and Newcastle, as regards their USA pre-season tour ahead of 2023-2024.
Malo Gusto was subbed on to replace Reece James. Surprisingly, he showed enough reasons to start over James in some games, showing off his balance.
The French youngster is very reliable in 1v1 situations. Frankly, he won many balls against Newcastle, destroying the Magpies attackers within his minutes on the pitch.
Regardless of how Reece James handles the 2023-2024 season. Malo Gusto is enough for the West London club, his defensive awareness is second to none.
9. Bashir Humphreys defensive simplicity
The 20-year-old English centre-back made everything simple against Newcastle. Of course, he played alongside Trevoh Chalobah, they both handled the defense.
Obviously, the Magpies are balanced and composed up front. However, Bashir Humphreys didn’t flinch, he handled the pressure very well, making it simple.
Despite the fact that he’s most unlikely to stay at Chelsea this campaign. The Englishman may move to the Championship on loan.
Nevertheless, he defended by the book on Wednesday. As a result, he was able to silence Isak, backing him off, allowing his teammates to recover the ball.
10. Carney Chukwuemeka, the new Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Unbelievably, the Englishman is expected to stay at Chelsea this season. Of course, the Blues have many brilliant and talented players in midfield.
Carney Chukwuemeka was such a ball magnet against the Magpies. He advanced the ball very well on Wednesday, linking up brilliantly with his teammates.
Under the 4-2-3-1 formation, the player is unlikely to start back-to-back games this season. Regardless, he’s an excellent substitute for Pochettino.
Despite coming on in the second-half. Chukwuemeka had some successful take-ons against Newcastle, destroying the opposition from the midfield.