Morgan Rogers scored his first Chelsea goal as the Blues secured a 3-1 friendly win against Real Sociedad in Xabi Alonso‘s first game in charge at Stamford Bridge.
Club-record signing Rogers opened the scoring nine minutes in, before João Pedro added another two to take his impressive preseason goal tally to seven.
In what was a lively start for the Blues, Rogers announced himself at the Bridge when he pounced on the rebound from Pedro’s parried shot to bury it home from close range.
But Chelsea created few chances of meaning after the goal and the Spanish side equalised through Jon Aramburu who struck a wonder-volley from outside the box just before half time.
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The Blues emerged on the front foot after the break, with the in-form Pedro heading home from Reece James’ pinpoint in-swinging cross at the far post.
Enzo Fernández was introduced on the hour mark and was met by a mixture of jeers and cheers as James handed him the captain armband amid ongoing speculation over the Argentine’s future at the club.
In March, Fernández upset Chelsea fans when he said he did not know if he’d remain at the club after the Blues had suffered a bruising Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. He faced more criticism when he spoke on a podcast later that month about wanting to live in Madrid which saw him serve a two-game suspension.
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But after no club matched Chelsea’s £120 million ($161.8m) valuation by Friday’s self-imposed deadline, sources told ESPN the 25-year-old is expected to stay.
Following Fernández’s introduction against Sociedad, the Blues grew in intensity and threatened to extend their lead as Cole Palmer played in Pedro by the byline who saw his fierce shot saved as the Blues continued to pile the pressure.
Substitute Malo Gusto threaded a brilliant long ball for Chelsea’s No. 9 who timed his run to perfection, racing through on goal to drill in a low finish and end his side’s preseason preparations on a high.
