Chelsea conclude their pre-season schedule with a high-profile clash against Serie A giants AC Milan at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, just one week before they open their Premier League campaign against Crystal Palace.
The Blues come into this encounter on the back of a 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen on Friday, a result that not only showcased their defensive solidity but also underlined their attacking depth.
Teenage sensation Estêvão was the standout performer against Leverkusen, marking his debut with a superbly taken goal and a display full of flair, pace, and confidence.
His instant impact has only fuelled excitement among supporters eager to see how he adapts to English football.
Enzo Maresca has had only a short pre-season to prepare his squad, with the Club World Cup and UEFA Conference League triumphs extending last season well into the summer.
With limited time to fine-tune his tactics before competitive action begins, the Chelsea vs AC Milan match offers a crucial opportunity to build rhythm, test combinations, and assess player fitness levels ahead of the Crystal Palace game.
Chelsea vs AC Milan: Preview
The Chelsea vs AC Milan Preview centres around two clubs with contrasting summers but similar ambitions for the upcoming season.
Chelsea’s 2024–25 campaign ended with silverware and a return to the Champions League, and they’ve strengthened with high-profile arrivals such as Estêvão, Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, and Jorrel Hato.
Against Bayer Leverkusen, Maresca handed debuts to three of those signings, with all impressing in their own ways.
Beyond their transfer activity, Chelsea have been linked with further additions, including Alejandro Garnacho and Xavi Simons, as they aim to assemble a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts.
The attacking reshuffle, which has seen Armando Broja and Marc Guiu depart and Nicolas Jackson linked with a move away, suggests Maresca is still refining his ideal forward line.
AC Milan arrive in London after a prolific pre-season, netting 13 goals in three games, including a 4-1 win over Liverpool. Under returning manager Massimiliano Allegri, the Rossoneri have shown more attacking freedom than in previous seasons, balancing their defensive discipline with sharper forward play.
However, this Chelsea vs AC Milan fixture comes less than 24 hours after they face Leeds United in Ireland, meaning Allegri is expected to rotate heavily to keep his squad fresh ahead of their Coppa Italia opener against Bari next week.
With both teams juggling match fitness, squad rotation, and tactical experimentation, Sunday’s match could serve as an early test of depth and adaptability before the season kicks off.
Chelsea vs AC Milan: Team News
For this Chelsea vs AC Milan game, Maresca is still without Levi Colwill, who faces several months out after suffering an ACL injury in training.
Wesley Fofana’s long-awaited return from injury offers a boost in defence, while summer signing Jorrel Hato could once again feature after impressing against Leverkusen.
Notably, midfielders Romeo Lavia and Enzo Fernández were both rested for the Leverkusen match and could be brought back into the starting XI for Chelsea vs AC Milan, with Moisés Caicedo potentially rotated out to manage his workload ahead of the Premier League opener.
Reece James, continuing his comeback to full match sharpness, is expected to captain the side.
Up front, Maresca has multiple options. Joao Pedro and Liam Delap are pushing for starts, while Estêvão could retain his place after his dazzling debut. Cole Palmer remains a creative lynchpin, and new signing Gittens is in line for more minutes.
For AC Milan, Allegri’s lineup will likely differ significantly from the team that faces Leeds. New €36m arrival Ardon Jashari could make his first start, joining Samuele Ricci and Luka Modric in a refreshed midfield. The attack is expected to be led by Rafael Leao and Santiago Gimenez, with Christian Pulisic ruled out due to injury.
The departures of Luka Jovic and Tammy Abraham have left Milan light in forward options, making this Chelsea vs AC Milan clash an important test of their attacking alternatives.
Predicted Lineups
Chelsea: Sánchez; James, Chalobah, Hato, Cucurella; Lavia, Fernandez; Gittens, Palmer, Estevão; Pedro.
AC Milan: Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Ricci, Modric, Musah, Estupiñán; Leao, Gimenez.
Players to Watch – Chelsea vs AC Milan
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Estêvão (Chelsea) – After lighting up the Bayer Leverkusen game, the teenage Brazilian will be eager to make another big impression in this Chelsea vs AC Milan clash.
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Cole Palmer (Chelsea) – Chelsea’s creative heartbeat, capable of breaking down even the most organised defences.
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Enzo Fernández (Chelsea) – With fresh legs after being rested, the World Cup winner will look to dictate the tempo from midfield.
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Mike Maignan (AC Milan) – One of the best goalkeepers in Europe, Maignan will have a point to prove against the club that once considered signing him.
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Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan) – The former Chelsea defender will want to show Blues fans how much he has developed since leaving Stamford Bridge.
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Rafael Leao (AC Milan) – Milan’s most dangerous attacking outlet, capable of changing the game with a moment of brilliance.
How to Watch
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UK: Channel 5, Chelsea’s official website/app
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Worldwide: DAZN and Chelsea’s in-house streaming service
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Kick-off: Sunday, 3 p.m. BST (10 a.m. ET; 7:30 p.m. IST; 12 a.m. AEST)
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Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
Prediction
The short turnaround for both sides means squad rotation is inevitable, but Chelsea’s greater squad depth and home advantage should give them the edge.
Milan’s attacking form in pre-season makes them dangerous, but with the Stamford Bridge crowd behind them, the Blues are likely to finish pre-season on a high.
We say: Chelsea 3-1 AC Milan
