Morgan Rogers Makes Impactful Chelsea Debut as João Pedro Continues Goal Spree

Chelsea concluded their pre-season campaign with a 3-1 home victory over Real Sociedad. The goals for the London side came from record signing Morgan Rogers (11’), who made his debut for the Blues, and João Pedro (47’, 77’), who now boasts seven goals in pre-season. Jon Aramburu (45’) scored a spectacular goal for the visitors.

Morgan Rogers and Maxence Lacroix made their unofficial Chelsea debuts. The English international started as a left winger in an attacking trio alongside João Pedro and Cole Palmer. Lacroix was one of three central defenders in Xabi Alonso's starting lineup. Enzo Fernández, who has been linked with a move to Manchester City, remained on the bench. Marco Palestra operated as a right wing-back, with Pedro Neto in the same role on the opposite flank. Reece James partnered Moisés Caicedo in midfield. Nicolas Jackson, Liam Delap, Danny Welbeck, and Tosin Adarabioyo were not included in the squad for today's match.

Record signing Morgan Rogers, for whom Chelsea paid £117 million, opened the scoring in the tenth minute. Neto broke through on the right and crossed to Pedro, whose header was parried, but Rogers followed up from close range to make it 1-0.

However, the visitors were the more dangerous side in the first half, registering many more shots. Robert Sánchez made two crucial saves around the 30-minute mark, but just before halftime, the Spanish goalkeeper was beaten by a superb volley from Jon Aramburu from the edge of the penalty area.

Chelsea performed much stronger after the break. The hosts regained their lead early in the second half. In the 47th minute, Palmer drove into the box from the right, feinted past his defender multiple times, then laid the ball back to Reece James, who delivered an excellent cross to the far post. There, João Pedro headed home into the near corner.

In the 50th minute, Pedro had another opportunity, but this time the visitors' goalkeeper saved with his foot.

After about an hour of play, Alonso made four substitutions, with Enzo Fernández being one of the players introduced. The Stamford Bridge faithful were divided in their reaction to the Argentine, with some booing him, but the majority began to chant his name.

In the 77th minute, João Pedro scored his seventh pre-season goal after being brilliantly set up by Malo Gusto, slotting past Remiro for the final score of 3-1.