Chelsea’s first team suffered an embarrassing 3-0 defeat to a combined U16/U21 side in a midweek training match at Cobham, leading to a furious response from manager Enzo Maresca.
Youngsters Donell McNeilly and Chizzy Ezenwata were the stars of the show, with McNeilly scoring twice and Ezenwata adding another. The senior team, made up of players not called up for international duty, struggled to match the energy and sharpness of the academy side.
While the exact lineup of the first team is unknown, players like Malo Gusto, Benoît Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo, Romeo Lavia, Jadon Sancho, and Christopher Nkunku were likely involved. The match may have also featured Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke, who are returning from injury.
Maresca was left furious by the result and reacted by cancelling a planned day off for the senior squad. The humiliating defeat raises questions about the readiness and mentality of the first-team players ahead of their return to competitive action.
For McNeilly, this performance adds to his growing reputation as a prolific goal scorer at youth level. His brace against senior professionals could push him closer to a first-team opportunity, especially with Chelsea’s ongoing struggles in front of goal.
