Chelsea Faces AC Milan in Jakarta: A Crucial Pre-Season Test

Chelsea, bruised but not broken, walk into Jakarta needing a response.

Two defeats on the spin under Xabi Alonso – late heartbreak against 10-man Tottenham in Australia and a 1-0 loss to Juventus in Hong Kong – have checked the early optimism of a three-win start to pre-season. With the Premier League now only a fortnight away, the margin for gentle experimentation is shrinking fast.

This afternoon brings AC Milan at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, the first leg of a demanding 24-hour double-header that finishes in Malaysia against Johor Darul Ta'zim on Sunday. The stakes are friendly, the questions are not.

Alonso sharpens his focus

Alonso has insisted there is no panic. Results in July and August rarely define a season. But patterns do, and Chelsea have not looked convincing without the ball.

A rotating, makeshift backline has left them open and uncertain. The manager can point to the injury list and the staggered return of his World Cup contingent, yet he knows the defence needs clarity and hierarchy quickly. That is why the sight of Levi Colwill edging back towards full involvement matters so much.

Colwill, who missed most of last season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, was left out against Juventus on a poor surface as a precaution. The same applied to Cole Palmer. Both are now expected to be available for minutes in Jakarta, and both change the feel of this side: Colwill with his authority on the left of defence, Palmer with his creativity and control between the lines.

If Alonso wants something close to a first-choice XI at this stage of the tour, this is the game to show it.

Goalkeeper battle takes centre stage

One of the more intriguing subplots of pre-season has suddenly moved front and centre. Robert Sanchez returned from injury to feature against Juventus, yet the presence of young Belgian goalkeeper Mike Penders has added a genuine selection dilemma.

Penders has impressed enough to be talked about as a serious contender for the No1 shirt, not just a tourist on the tour. Jakarta should offer another clue. Does Alonso lean on Sanchez’s experience against Milan, or hand Penders the gloves in a marquee fixture to test his temperament?

The predicted line-up tilts towards the youngster: Penders behind a back four of Palestra, Fofana, Colwill and Hato. It would be a bold call, and it would send a message.

Mudryk back in the spotlight

The Juventus defeat was settled by a spectacular second-half strike from Edon Zhegrova, but the night really belonged to Mykhailo Mudryk’s return.

With his anti-doping disciplinary case with the Football Association now resolved, the Ukrainian is back in the fold – and firmly in the shop window. Several clubs are circling with loan offers, and every minute he plays on this tour will be watched closely.

He could be in line for his first Chelsea start since November 2024, potentially from the left of an attacking trio behind Joao Pedro. For Mudryk, this is both an audition and a crossroads: convince Alonso he can still be part of the project, or showcase himself for a move that finally gives him rhythm and confidence.

Youth steps into the light

If the defeats have stung, the emergence of Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli has eased some of the pain.

The 16-year-old midfielder, Sydney-born but an England youth international, started alongside Moises Caicedo against Juventus and did not look out of place. Alonso trusted him ahead of Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo, a striking vote of confidence in a player only just out of academy football.

Nicoll-Jazuli’s composure and range have been one of the standout stories of pre-season. He may not start against Milan if Alonso goes full strength, but he has already forced his way into the conversation for meaningful minutes this season.

On the flanks, Geovany Quenda has offered another jolt of excitement. The 19-year-old winger, a £40million signing from Sporting, was one of the few bright sparks in an otherwise flat display against Juventus. Direct, fearless and constantly demanding the ball, he looks ready to contribute immediately rather than merely adapt.

Rotation, but with intent

Two games in two countries inside 24 hours will stretch even a deep squad. Alonso will have to rotate, manage workloads and keep an eye on those only just back from international duty.

The expectation is clear: AC Milan in Jakarta gets something close to Chelsea’s strongest available side. Johor Darul Ta'zim in Malaysia becomes the opportunity for those on the fringes, the youngsters and the returning players still building fitness.

That likely means a core of regulars today – Caicedo anchoring midfield, perhaps with Lavia beside him; Palmer operating centrally if fit; Mudryk and Estevao offering width; Joao Pedro leading the line. Behind them, Colwill’s return should help settle a defence that has looked anything but settled so far.

Predicted Chelsea XI vs AC Milan

Penders; Palestra, Fofana, Colwill, Hato; Lavia, Caicedo; Estevao, Palmer, Mudryk; Joao Pedro.

Colwill and Palmer remain slight doubts, but the club insist their absence in Hong Kong was purely precautionary. If the medical team give the green light, Alonso is unlikely to hold them back here.

Pre-season is not about trophies or table positions. It is about rhythm, relationships, and answers. Chelsea started this tour with three straight wins and a sense of lift. Two defeats have checked that momentum.

Jakarta, against a heavyweight like AC Milan, offers something more valuable than a friendly victory: a chance to show that the bumps are part of the build, not a warning of what is to come when the real thing starts in two weeks’ time.