Enzo Maresca remains winless in two matches as Chelsea boss as the Blues fell to a 4-1 demolition at the hands of Scottish champions Celtic FC in both sides’ latest pre-season warm-up in the United States.
While the match was Celtic’s final game of their tour Stateside, Chelsea went into their second match in their USA tour off a 2-2 draw with lower league Wrexham and much was left to be desired again in their latest.
The Blues got the first sniff of goal through Christopher Nkunku whose fourth minute header was well saved by former Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel – making his second appearance for the Bhoys.
Schmeichel followed that up with a double save two minutes later as it started to seem it would be a struggle for Celtic to get into the game as quickly as Chelsea did, except they did settle in and take control of the game with the opener after 19 minutes.
Chelsea keeper Rob Sanchez conceded a corner while denying James Forrest but was helpless as Matt O’Riley met the resultant corner from 10 yards out to coolly slot the ball low into the goalkeeper’s right corner.
Celtic doubled their lead just after the half-hour mark through Kyogo who turned in a cross from O’Riley after 32 minutes.
A raft of changes did not result in the change of fortunes Maresca hoped for as Celtic put the game to bed after 75 minutes when, Luis Palma pounced on a defensive slip up to punish Chelsea and put Celtic 3-0 up.
Mikey Johnston made it 4-0 just three minutes later to see Celtic scoring four goals in each of their last three pre-season games, with Chelsea finally getting a goal in the 89th minute through Nkunku’s converted penalty.
It may only be pre-season but the loss to Celtic leaves fans of the Blues a little worried for what’s to come.