Filip Jorgensen, Chelsea’s goalkeeper, made a whirlwind trip from England to Australia, spending only three days in Sydney before returning home amid rumors of a likely transfer to Strasbourg, a team affiliated with the BlueCo network.
While Jorgensen quickly departed, striker Liam Delap stayed put, though his future at the club remains uncertain. Nottingham Forest has shown interest in the 23-year-old, but despite speculation, his participation in Xabi Alonso’s lineup during the 6-4 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers indicates no immediate move.
This match was an opportunity for Delap to solidify his standing and perhaps halt any potential transfers, but he could not outshine his fellow Chelsea forwards. Last summer’s £30 million acquisition from Ipswich found himself overshadowed, particularly by Joao Pedro, who replaced him.
Joao Pedro delivered a standout performance, beginning with a skillful assist for Jamie Gittens in the 66th minute, followed by his first goal in the 80th minute. He scored again in the 85th and completed a hat-trick by the 89th minute.
Chelsea’s decision to declare Joao Pedro unavailable for transfer early this summer seems justified. His talent has attracted attention from clubs like Barcelona, and while he remains firmly rooted at Chelsea, Delap’s future at the club remains much more uncertain.
Joao Pedro ran the game after coming on in the 66th minute
Liam Delap took his seat in the dugout after an hour, and the difference between him leading the line and Joao Pedro was stark
Teen dreams
Two 17-year-olds in Ryan Kavuma-McQueen and Dastan Satpayev combined for the first of Chelsea’s six goals here.
It involved a lovely turn and through-ball from Kavuma-McQueen for Satpayev, whose finish was clinical after breaking behind.
Satpayev is technically not a Chelsea player until he turns 18 next month, but he was involved here as a ‘trialist’, with permission from his club FC Kairat in Kazakhstan and authorisation from his parents.
Reggie Walsh, 17, impressed at No 10 as he exchanged a one-two with Dario Essugo for Chelsea’s second goal. Landon Emenalo, 18, was flying down the flank from left back also.
This was a good opportunity for the kids, and the best of the bunch, in my opinion, was Reggie Watson. Still only 16 and the son of former Wigan midfielder Ben, Watson was a physical force in midfield.
When Alonso made nine substitutes after an hour, he was the only starter who remained on the pitch, and it is easy to see why Chelsea are so excited by this teenager.
Still only 16 and the son of former Wigan midfielder Ben, Reggie Watson was a physical force in midfield
Dastan Satpayev is technically not a Chelsea player until he turns 18 next month, but he was involved here as a ‘trialist’
Gittens gets back on the bike
Gittens had a hard 2025-26. His season was essentially a write-off from January, when he picked up a hamstring problem.
Yet he has now scored in three successive friendlies under Alonso – in their behind-closed-doors wins over Crawley and Bromley back in London and here against Western Sydney Wanderers.
We could see the confidence coursing through the left winger. Hopefully for him and Chelsea, this 21-year-old Englishman can remain healthy and enjoy a happier campaign.
Jamie Gittens (right) fires in Chelsea’s third goal in Sydney
Wanderers offer stern test
Wanderers finished bottom of the 2025–26 A-League table, so they were not expected to pose many problems to Chelsea, even with so many youngsters involved.
Yet it was possibly helpful for Alonso that the Australian side pressed high throughout. That tested Chelsea’s defenders, and their centre-back pairing of Tosin Adarabioyo, 28, and Josh Acheampong, 20, rarely looked comfortable in possession. Too many passes went straight to the feet of their opponents, who found scoring rather straightforward.
Acheampong was beaten too easily when Wanderers scored their second goal, for example. Aydan Hammond skinned the young central defender before stroking the ball beyond Teddy Sharman-Lowe in goal.
Lots to work on, Austin
Chelsea could do with Austin MacPhee arriving from Aston Villa to become their new set-piece specialist sooner rather than later. Wanderers appeared a threat from dead-ball situations, scoring at one corner which was flicked on from the front and nodded in by Anthony Pantazopoulos at the back.