Pochettino makes Chelsea debut with 5-0 win

US Chelsea crushed English Third Division Wrexham in Mauricio Pochettino's debut as manager.

At Kenan Memorial Stadium in North Carolina, Ian Maatsen scored twice for Chelsea in the first half. In the third minute, Nicolas Jackson broke into the Wrexham penalty area and passed to the left, allowing Maatsen to tap in the opener. In the 42nd minute, after a one-two with Carney Chukwuemeka, the 21-year-old Dutch winger fired home from 17 meters to make it 2-0.

Wrexham had 11 shots like Chelsea, but could not find the net. The Third Division side collapsed late on and conceded three more goals. Conor Gallagher fired a long-range shot to make it 3-0 in the 80th minute, before new signing Christopher Nkunku dribbled past the goalkeeper to make it 4-0 in the 90th. Just before the final whistle, left-back Ben Chilwell lobbed the ball to seal the win for Chelsea.

New signing Nkunku (left) celebrates scoring for Chelsea in the win over Wrexham on the morning of July 20. Photo: Chelsea FC

The win over Wrexham was Chelsea's first friendly of the summer and Pochettino's debut as manager. Chelsea appointed the former Tottenham and PSG boss in June.

Pochettino preferred young and new players in his starting lineup, such as Nicolas Jackson. Established players such as Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell came on in the second half. Goalkeeper Kepa and center-back Thiago Silva were also present, but did not play.

Pochettino made his debut in Chelsea's 5-0 win over Wrexham on the morning of July 20. Photo: Chelsea FC

The win over Wrexham is part of Chelsea's tour of the United States, where Pochettino's team will also face Brighton on July 22, Newcastle on July 26, Fulham on July 30 and Dortmund on August 2.

Key developments of the match Chelsea 5-0 Wrexham.

Chelsea will host Liverpool in the opening match of the 2023-2024 Premier League season on August 13. Last season, the Blues finished 12th and did not qualify for the European Cup this season.

Thanh Quy

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