Chelsea confidently beat Real Sociedad before the start of the season

London Chelsea finished their pre-season training on a high note with a 3-1 win over Spain's Real Sociedad. This friendly match became special for Xabi Alonso - the Spanish specialist led the team to the home stadium of Stamford Bridge for the first time as the head coach of the Blues. The home team started the match very actively and opened the score in the 10th minute. The hero of the episode was Morgan Rodgers - the club's record transfer from Aston Villa for 117 million pounds. The rookie played successfully in the finish after the goalkeeper parried Joao Pedro's shot, and sent the ball into the net from close range. After the goal, the tempo of the game dropped a bit and Chelsea created little intensity in front of the away goal. The guests took advantage of this: just before the halftime whistle, Jon Mikel Aramburu leveled the score with a magnificent free kick from outside the penalty area. In the second half, the Londoners returned the initiative to their hands. Joao Pedro restored the Blues' lead shortly after the break with a well-timed header from Rhys James's accurate cross at the far post. In the 60th minute, the most controversial event of the evening took place - Enzo Fernandez entered the field. The Argentine, whose future remained in question until the transfer deadline, was greeted by a mixture of applause and mocking whistles from the stands. It is noteworthy that Rhys James immediately handed him the captain's armband. It will be recalled that Chelsea decided to leave the midfielder after no club offered the expected 120 million pounds for him. The exit of fresh players added intensity to Chelsea. At the end of the match, a brilliant combination put an end to the game: Malo Gusto made a cut pass to Joao Pedro, who perfectly timed the rush, went to the goal and expertly shot from the bottom. The goal was the striker's seventh of the current pre-season campaign. Mykhailo Mudryk, who recently returned after a long suspension, was not included in the team's application for this match.