Latest Chelsea injury news after Newcastle with 8 doubts, Reece James and Noni Madueke update
Chelsea are still unbeaten in pre-season as they played out an entertaining 1-1 draw with Newcastle in Atlanta. Nicolas Jackson continued his hot streak, bagging his second in two games to go along with two assists in that time, before former Atlanta United attacker Miguel Almiron pegged the Blues back before half-time.
It was yet another young Chelsea side that featured seven players aged 22 or younger in the starting line-up with five more in the same bracket coming from the bench. It was also a chance for Mauricio Pochettino to see two of the most impressive names so far in the US tour play together.
Christopher Nkunku failed to impact the game as he would have wanted but Jackson yet again staked his claim to be the first choice striker for the new season,slotting in Ian Maatsen's perfectly timed pass to score once more.
There were some notable names missing from the side, though. Both Levi Colwill and Thiago Silva were unused subtstitutes having started against Brighton. The pair looked good last week despite conceding three goals. With a game against neighbours Fulham to come, they are only being rested for now.
There was a boost as Reece James started the game as captain to get his first minutes of pre-season. Having arrived late due to illness and with ongoing fitness concerns over him, James is being looked after carefully by the management and got 65 minutes here.
Speaking ahead of the game the 23-year-old admitted how hard it has been to recover from consistent setbacks recently. «It has been difficult. I had a lot of injuries and I haven’t played in three months. I am finding my feet again and we have started pre-season well,» he explained.
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