Manchester City 4-2 Chelsea Review

Preseason Tour

Here is how Manchester City lined up for their last game of the preseason tour. That’s 4/4 starts for Rico Lewis, Oscar Bobb, Jack Grealish, Erling Haaland, James McAtee and Nico O’Reilly. Good foundation of players and fitness heading into the Community Shield match with the remaining first team players yet to join them.

Chelsea struggled to build up from the back right away. City press was as a front three rather than a pair. James McAtee jumping up. But the mistakes came from the Chelsea players taking too long on the ball as City closed down their passing options.

Haaland gets a penalty from the first mistake, Colwill just clips his ankle. Making it a brace shortly after another mistake by Chelsea.

Only one change at half-time as Tomas Galvez came on for Josh Wilson-Esbrand. He was having a good first half for City, improving throughout the tour but pulled up after recovering the ball.

Oscar Bobb scored another goal with this exceptional near-post finish after turning the Chelsea defenders inside out. He thrives in tight spaces against the sideline and byline.

Erling Haaland (56’) wrapped up his hat trick after a lovely move between Kovacic, Grealish and McAtee who releases Haaland through on goal.

Chelsea scored shortly after (59’) Madueke stood up a great cross to the back-post. Raheem Sterling unmarked hit the volley into the net.

Later in the second half, we saw several changes. Susoho (70’) came on for Rico Lewis, who pulled up with Cramp. Fatah (70’) on for Grealish. Ndala (70’) on for Bobb.

Scott Carson (79’) came on for Ortega after what looked like a painful save. Perrone (80’) came on for James McAtee. Jacob Wright (80’) on for Mateo Kovacic. Justin Oboavwoduo (80’) got his first minutes on the tour, coming on for Haaland.

The last round of changes came when Callum Doyle (86’) came on for Kalvin Phillips. Stephen Mfuni (87’) who is just 16 came on for Josko Gvardiol. When Mfuni was born, Scott Carson was playing for Aston Villa on loan from Liverpool. Lakyle Samuel (87’) for Nico O’Reilly.

Madueke (89’) would then take advantage of the space left down the right side and slot the ball past Scott Carson.

Confirmation from Guardiola at full-time that both James McAtee and Nico O’Reilly have made quite the impression in preseason. A reminder of what can happen on the tour for the young academy players, as we’ve seen in the last two summers with Rico Lewis and Oscar Bobb.

Both players have grown across the four matches in the US and clearly, Guardiola has seen something in both of them he feels will be valuable to the squad. The physicality O’Reilly provides in the duels along with his quick feet, composure on the ball, and passing ability. McAtee movement in the pockets and ability arriving into the box. Increasing the depth of the squad is necessary for the potential additional games 24/25 brings.

Several players look ready to be sent out for loans after returning to Manchester. Ndala is one of those who won’t get into the first team right now but would benefit from the minutes in a first-team elsewhere. All the skills you’d need to be a top-level winger. There won’t be enough space for Perrone, Wright or Susoho in midfield but all will be looking for the right loan spell elsewhere.

Pep Guardiola has confirmed the team came through the preseason tour with no injuries ahead of the new season. Flying home to Manchester shortly after the match concluded, they will now meet up with the rest of the team in preparation for the Community Shield and Premier League opener.

Next up for Manchester City is returning to the UK, meeting the remaining first-team players, and preparing for the Community Shield match on August 10th, 15:00 GMT. They’ll take on Manchester United at Wembley.

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