Chelsea kicked off their condensed pre-season schedule with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen at Stamford Bridge. The match saw a stellar debut performance from new signing Estêvão, who opened the scoring, and a late goal from João Pedro to seal the win.
The Blues, playing their first match since being crowned Club World Cup champions, looked sharp from the start, with new manager Enzo Maresca's side dominating possession and creating numerous chances. The young Brazilian winger Estêvão, who joined from Palmeiras, was the standout player, showcasing his pace and skill on the right flank. He was rewarded for his efforts in the 18th minute, coolly finishing from close range after a Cole Palmer shot had hit the crossbar.
Leverkusen, managed by Erik ten Hag, struggled to create significant opportunities, with Chelsea's defense holding firm. The German side's best chances came from a couple of free-kicks from Alex Grimaldo, both saved by Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jörgensen.
As is typical for a friendly, the second half saw a flurry of substitutions from both teams, which slightly disrupted the flow of the game. However, Chelsea's dominance continued, and they sealed the victory in the final moments. Substitute João Pedro, who impressed at the Club World Cup, scored a well-taken goal in the 90th minute, firing a low shot into the bottom corner after a good build-up.
Overall, it was a positive start to pre-season for Chelsea, with new signings Estêvão and João Pedro making an immediate impact. The Blues will now prepare for their final friendly against AC Milan before their Premier League season opener against Crystal Palace.
