London, England – Chelsea showcased a commanding performance, defeating Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 in a pre-season friendly match held at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, August 9, 2025. Goals from new signings Estevao and Joao Pedro sealed the victory for the Blues, signaling a strong start to their preparations for the 2025-2026 Premier League season.

The match marked Chelsea’s first summer pre-season fixture, arriving later than some competitors due to the team’s participation in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, where they finished as runners-up to Manchester City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on December 22, 2024. Training sessions were only initiated earlier this week,making the performance even more remarkable.

Chelsea Manager Enzo Maresca expressed his satisfaction with the team’s display, especially considering the limited training time. “Very happy with the team’s performance, especially after three or four days of training. Its great to be able to start again,” Maresca stated in a post-match interview with Sky Sports. He highlighted the team’s seamless transition, adding, “We started as if we never ended last season.”

The arrival of estevao, a 17-year-old Brazilian winger from Palmeiras for a reported fee of £58 million, and Joao Pedro, a 22-year-old forward from Watford for £30 million, has injected fresh energy into the Chelsea squad. both players made immediate impacts, demonstrating their potential to become key contributors this season. The match also saw significant playing time for returning stars like Cole Palmer and Reece James.

Looking ahead,Chelsea will face AC Milan in a second pre-season friendly at stamford Bridge on Sunday,August 10,2025,with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 PM BST. The Blues will then begin their Premier League campaign against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on August 17, 2025, at 3:00 PM BST. Tickets for the Palace match are currently available on the Chelsea FC website, with prices ranging from £35 to £85.

Key Takeaways:

• Chelsea’s victory signals a strong start to their pre-season preparations.
• New signings Estevao and Joao Pedro impressed in their debut appearances.
• Enzo Maresca praised the team’s intensity and seamless transition.
• Chelsea’s Premier League season begins on August 17th against Crystal Palace.

Chelsea, Bayer Leverkusen, Enzo Maresca, Premier League, Pre-Season, Football, estevao, Joao Pedro, Stamford Bridge