4 things we learned from Chelsea's final pre-season friendly | OneFootball

Chelsea ended their pre-season with a 1-1 draw against Italian champions Inter, thanks to a last-minute goal from Lesley Ugochukwu.

Enzo Maresca's start to life at Chelsea has been somewhat mixed so far. Defeats to both Manchester City and Real Madrid, as well as a 4-1 loss to Scottish Premiership side Celtic, saw Chelsea come under fire earlier in the summer during their tour of the USA.

They did, however, manage to claw back a relatively positive result against Inter back on home soil. The Serie A side led for the majority of the game before a last minute equaliser from 20-year-old Ugochukwu brought them level.

Here are four things we learnt from their final pre-season friendly at Stamford Bridge.

Patience will be key

Maresca may need time at Chelsea / Eddie Keogh/GettyImages

If Chelsea believe Enzo Maresca is the right man to lead them to success, then they may need to trust the process and allow him to settle in at Stamford Bridge.

This mantra must also go for the Chelsea squad, as Maresca has alluded to the fact that the players' mindsets need to shift in order for his system to work. The Blues' first game of the Premier League season comes against Manchester City, so fans may have to wait a little bit longer if they hope to see their side celebrate a victory.

However, once some of the tougher fixtures are out of the way and the squad have settled into Maresca's way of playing, good things may be on the horizon.

Marc Guiu could be a great signing

Guiu impressed in Chelsea's draw with Inter / Marc Atkins/GettyImages

Chelsea's new signing Marc Guiu has been exciting to watch throughout the Blues' pre-season, and against Inter he really shone in attack. If Guiu can receive service from the midfield, then he may quickly develop into the prolific striker the Blues hope he will become.

He's an imposing figure and knows just how to use his physicality, while his link-up play is strong and he was able to lead the press from the front against Inter.

Whether it's this season, or in a few more when he's fully developed, Guiu could become one of the most talented members of the Chelsea squad.

Noni Madueke will thrive this season

Madueke could be Chelsea's star this season / Eddie Keogh/GettyImages

Noni Madueke has the power to make the 2024/25 season his own and deserves a starting spot on the wing.

He's been linked with an exit from Stamford Bridge this summer, but away from all the noise Madueke is a talented player and should be considered in Chelsea's upcoming plans. Against Inter, the Blues often looked towards Madueke - who took on his full-back and put crosses into the box with ease.

If he can stay and fight for his spot at Chelsea, the club will not regret putting their faith in him.

Have Chelsea found their perfect backline?

Colwill is fit again / Marc Atkins/GettyImages

Chelsea began this fixture with a back four of Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill and Marc Cucurella, which could be the backline they operate with to at least begin the Premier League season.

The Blues' defence has often been scrutinised, but this lineup looked strong and there were many positives to take from this outing.

Gusto had the chance to invert into midfield in possession, whereas Colwill and Fofana had great chemistry as a centre-back pairing. If Maresca uses this lineup in the upcoming campaign, he should see much more success than he did in pre-season, especially against some of the top teams.