CHELSEA opened their pre-season schedule with a 5-0 thumping on Hollywood heroes Wrexham.
Teenage sensation Ian Maatsen helped himself to a double while English duo Conor Gallagher and Ben Chilwell also got on the score sheet.
But all eyes were on ex-RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku and the Frenchman delivered the goods by scoring stoppage time on his first-ever Blues appearance.
- RESULT: Chelsea 5-0 Wrexham
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- By Sam Dymond
Goodnight from North Carolina
Chelsea are up and running under Mauricio Pochettino, but it's time for this blog to sign off for the night.
Thanks to those who stayed up to join us, we'll be back to cover more of the Blues' pre-season in the States very soon.
Goodbye.
- By Sam Dymond
Extra! Read all about it!
Before we head off (to bed), why not relive the night's action with Jordan Davies' match report of Chelsea's 5-0 win over Wrexham in North Carolina?
In the early hours, Poch-ball got underway – and the Argentine coach even had his first referee bust-up to get his tenure well and truly up and running.
Jordan DaviesThe Sun
- By Sam Dymond
Next up for new-look Blues
There will be barely a moment for Chelsea's squad to dwell on tonight's action with their US tour continuing at pace as the calibre of opposition ramps up.
Awaiting the Blues in the next ten days are three Premier League sides – Brighton, Newcastle and Fulham – that finished above them last season.
And the Londoners will end their spell Stateside with a game against Bundesliga runners-up Borussia Dortmund.
- July 23: Brighton (Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia)
- July 27: Newcastle (Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta)
- July 30: Fulham (Fedexfield, Washington DC)
- Aug 3: Borussia Dortmund (Soldier Field, Chicago)
- By Sam Dymond
Poch delight at first showing
Speaking post-match, new Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino reiterated his happiness at his side five-goal showing Stateside, as reported by Ben Jacobs.
I was happy with the attitude and it's now time to improve more, which is part of the process. We are using this period to learn how we want to play. I am happy with the performance.
Mauricio Pochettino
- By Sam Dymond
Match stats from North Carolina
Chelsea netted with all five of their shots on target at the Kenan Memorial Stadium, and ended up as comfortable winners despite actually having less attempts on goal than their League Two opponents.
Credit: chelseafc.com - By Sam Dymond
Full time – Chelsea 5-0 Wrexham
A late burst of goals sees Mauricio Pochettino's first game as Chelsea manager finish with a flourish.
Strikes in the final ten minutes from Conor Gallagher, Christopher Nkunku and Ben Chilwell put the gloss on Ian Maatsen's first half double as the Blues came through their first pre-season outing.
- By Sam Dymond
Chelsea 5-0 Wrexham – It's five!
90+4. With the last kick of the game, Ben Chilwell makes it five!
As the lock strikes the allotted 93 minutes, Angelo dissects the Wrexham defence with a peach of a pass for the arriving full-back.
Faced only with Rob Lainton, Chillwell keeps his nerves and cooly lifts the ball over the oncoming goalkeeper.
FPL players, take note!
- By Sam Dymond
Chelsea 4-0 Wrexham
90+1. We're into three minutes of stoppage time at the Kenan Memorial Stadium.
- By Sam Dymond
Chelsea 4-0 Wrexham – Nkunku on the mark!
90. He's barely had a look-in since his half-time introduction, but Christopher Nkunku has marked his first Chelsea appearance with his first Chelsea goal!
The French forward is slipped through the middle by Cesare Casadei's smart pass, and while Rob Lainton holds him up as he attempts to skip around the goalkeeper, Nkunku reacts expertly to slam the ball into the vacant net.
The first of many? The Stamford Bridge faithful will certainly hope so.
- By Sam Dymond
Chelsea 3-0 Wrexham
88. Well played by Cucurella, who defies the odds to get back to deny Davies a route to goal.
It's amazing what a half hour rest can do for the body.
- By Sam Dymond
Chelsea 3-0 Wrexham
86. Wrexham are finishing strongly, and are desperate to get themselves on the scoresheet.
Bergstrom has had more to do in the Chelsea goal during his cameo than Cumming during his 76 minutes on the pitch.
- By Sam Dymond
Chelsea 3-0 Wrexham
84. What's happening here? Captain Trevoh Chalobah appears to have a minor problem, and is going to be replaced by…
Marc Cucurella?! The Spanish left-back was substituted himself at half-time.
To be honest, that just makes a mockery of the Florida Cup and its grand heritage.
- By Sam Dymond
Chelsea 3-0 Wrexham
83. McAlindon receives some treatment after ending up on the receiving end of an accidental Sterling elbow.
- By Sam Dymond
Chelsea 3-0 Wrexham – Gallagher makes it three!
81. Yes, there is!
Chelsea do have a third goal, and it comes courtesy of Conor Gallagher.
Once again, Raheem Sterling has room to run on the left, and then looks for space to cut inside and on to his right foot.
The England international has no joy with his first touch, but after a heavy second, he instead opts to move the ball on to Gallagher outside the box.
Head down and over the ball, the midfielder drills towards the bottom corner, and just about beats Rob Lainton in the Wrexham goal.
- By Sam Dymond
Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham
79. Just over ten minutes remaining at the Kenan Memorial Stadium. Is there a third goal in this one?
- By Sam Dymond
Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham
77. Chelsea make a change between the sticks as Lucas Bergstrom takes over from Jamie Cumming.
Can the young Finnish stopper maintain his side's clean sheet?
- By Sam Dymond
Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham
74. The attendance has been confirmed as being 50,596.
A lot of people have come this evening out for a glimpse of one of the world's glamour clubs, packed full of stars and celebrities.
They were probably intrigued to see Chelsea too.
- By Sam Dymond
Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham
72. Another drinks break.
After all, some of these players have been out on the pitch for a good ten minutes.
- By Sam Dymond
Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham
70. Seconds after Barnett had laid Wrexham's best chance of the night on a plate for Waters at one end, Chelsea block, break and almost extend their lead at the other.
A quick move down the right sees a cross teed up for Sterling arriving at the far post, but the England star is unable to convert what would have been a rare-headed goal.
- By Sam Dymond
Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham
68. Red sky at night, second half s… low to get going.
- By Sam Dymond
Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham
67. Unsurprisingly, with all the changes that have taken place, the intensity and fluidity has gone from the game.
It now has very much the feel of a pre-season game being played abroad.
Don't these guys know that the Florida Cup is on the line!
- By Sam Dymond
Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham
65. Chelsea have snuck in another sub themselves.
Lewis Hall, who we saw a few times on the left last season, is on for Andrey Santos.
- By Sam Dymond
Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham
64. A swing and a miss from Raheem Sterling!
The Chelsea substitute goes for goal with an outlandish effort but is way off target.
- By Sam Dymond
Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham
62: I was wrong, it was six substitutes.
Wrexham bring on Ollie Palmer, Billy Waters, Luke Young, Max Cleworth, Jordan Davies and Liam McAlinden.
Off go Paul Mullin, Sam Dalby, James Jones, Ben Tozer, Elliot Lee and Tom O’Connor.
- By Sam Dymond
Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham
60. Gallagher is back being his busy self out there, winning possession and feeding Sterling.
Meanwhile, Phil Parkinson is preparing what looks to be a quintet of substitutes.
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