Chelsea vs Juventus: Welbeck debuts and Mudryk returns to squad for Hong Kong friendly
Danny Welbeck made his Chelsea debut and Mykhailo Mudryk returned to the matchday squad after his doping ban was lifted as the Blues faced Juventus in a pre-season friendly at Hong Kong's Kai Tak Sports Park.
Chelsea faced Juventus in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday, August 5 at Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong. Danny Welbeck made his Chelsea debut, starting the match, while Mykhailo Mudryk was named on the bench after his doping ban was lifted, putting him in line for his first minutes since then.
Chelsea faced Juventus in a pre-season friendly at Hong Kong's Kai Tak Sports Park on Wednesday, August 5, with Danny Welbeck handed his debut for the club from the start. Mykhailo Mudryk was named on the bench, in line for his first minutes since a doping ban against him was lifted. The match rounded off a summer tour that took Chelsea through Australia and Asia before reaching Hong Kong. According to reports, the campaign had produced mixed results, including a win over Western Sydney Wanderers and a defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, with Xabi Alonso overseeing the squad. Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill were absent, with reports saying the pair were unable to train fully on the Tuesday before the game because of fitness issues described as minor. Mudryk's return to the matchday squad is the headline story. His clearance to play again marks a significant step after a lengthy absence, and his involvement, even from the bench, signals Chelsea's intent to reintegrate him ahead of the new season.
Chelsea round off Hong Kong tour with Juventus friendly
Chelsea brought their summer tour to a close on Wednesday, August 5, with a pre-season friendly against Juventus at Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong. The fixture marked the final stop of a trip that had earlier taken the squad through Australia and Asia.
The meeting with the Italian side gave supporters back home a chance to follow the action, with UK media outlets publishing viewing information ahead of kick-off, including details of the TV channel, live stream options and start time. The Hong Kong venue, one of the region's newest major sporting arenas, hosted the occasion as Chelsea wrapped up their overseas preparations before the new season. The match rounded off a tour that had combined long-haul travel with a series of warm-up fixtures, giving the club's coaching staff a final look at the squad on foreign soil before returning home.
Chelsea's pre-season tour included Australia and Asia
Chelsea beat Western Sydney Wanderers
Chelsea lost to Tottenham Hotspur
Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill were unable to train fully due to fitness issues described as minor
Chelsea face Juventus in a friendly at Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong
Danny Welbeck started for Chelsea, making his debut for the club
Mykhailo Mudryk was named on the bench, in line for his first minutes since his doping ban was lifted
Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill did not play in the match
Welbeck handed Chelsea debut from the start
Danny Welbeck was named in Chelsea's starting line-up for the friendly against Juventus at Kai Tak Sports Park, making his first appearance for the club. The selection handed him an immediate debut on the Hong Kong leg of the summer tour, with the forward thrown straight into the side rather than being eased in from the bench. It marked a notable moment in the pre-season campaign, as Welbeck pulled on a Chelsea shirt in a match for the first time. His inclusion was one of the headline team news items ahead of the August 5 fixture.
Mudryk on the bench after doping ban lifted
Mykhailo Mudryk was named among the substitutes for the friendly against Juventus at Kai Tak Sports Park, putting him in line for his first minutes since a doping ban was lifted. The winger had been cleared to play again ahead of the Hong Kong fixture, and his inclusion on the bench marked his return to a Chelsea matchday squad after the suspension. Whether he would feature from the start was never in question, with Danny Welbeck leading the line on his debut, but Mudryk's presence among the replacements gave him the opportunity to make his comeback during the August 5 match. His availability is a significant step as he works his way back into contention under the Chelsea coaching staff during the pre-season campaign.
Palmer and Colwill sidelined with minor fitness concerns
Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill were both absent from Chelsea's matchday involvement against Juventus, according to UK media reports. The pair were said to have been unable to train fully on the Tuesday before the game, with their fitness issues described as minor. Reports indicated neither player featured in the friendly at Kai Tak Sports Park, though the exact nature of their problems was not specified. It remains unclear whether either is expected to return for Chelsea's remaining pre-season fixtures.
Mixed pre-season form under Alonso ahead of Hong Kong finale
The Juventus friendly brings down the curtain on a pre-season tour that, according to reports, took in Australia and Asia before arriving in Hong Kong. Reports suggest the campaign has produced mixed results, with a win over Western Sydney Wanderers followed by a defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, though the dates and scores of those fixtures have not been confirmed.
Xabi Alonso is reported to be overseeing the squad during the tour, using the trip to assess his options ahead of the new season. The Juventus match at Kai Tak Sports Park on August 5 offered another test against high-level opposition. At the time of writing, the result of the friendly was not yet known.
Frequently asked questions
When is Chelsea vs Juventus and where is it being played?
Chelsea face Juventus in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday, August 5. The match is being held at Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong, the latest stop on Chelsea's summer tour, which also took in Australia and Asia. UK media outlets published viewing information for the fixture, including TV channel, live stream and kick-off time details, ahead of the game.
Did Danny Welbeck make his Chelsea debut against Juventus?
Yes. Danny Welbeck started the match against Juventus at Kai Tak Sports Park, making his debut for Chelsea. His inclusion was one of the notable team news lines from the friendly in Hong Kong, alongside Mykhailo Mudryk being named on the bench as he worked towards his first minutes since his doping ban was lifted.
Did Mykhailo Mudryk play against Juventus after his doping ban?
Mykhailo Mudryk was named on the bench for the friendly against Juventus in Hong Kong. He had been cleared to play again after a doping ban was lifted and was in line for his first minutes since then. Whether he actually came off the bench and featured in the match has not been confirmed in the reports consulted.
Why were Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill not playing against Juventus?
According to reports, neither Cole Palmer nor Levi Colwill played in the match. The pair were said to have been unable to train fully on the Tuesday before the game, with their fitness issues described as minor. The exact nature of the problems was not specified, and it is not known whether they are expected back for later pre-season fixtures.
How can I watch Chelsea vs Juventus on TV or live stream?
UK media outlets published viewing information for the friendly, including TV channel, live stream and kick-off time details, ahead of the August 5 match at Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong. The specific channel, streaming platform and kick-off time themselves were not included in the reports summarised here, so readers should check those outlets directly for the full broadcast details.
Compiled from reporting by 7 independent outlets. How we source our reporting.
