Chelsea ended their pre-season tour in a 3-3 draw with Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), a result that striker Bergson da Silva believes highlights the team’s character as they prepare for the 2026-2027 Malaysia Super League season (nst.com.my). The match, played in Iskandar Puteri, saw both sides trade goals, with JDT’s Delap scoring twice from penalties to help secure the draw.
The result came amid challenges for Chelsea, including a lack of clarity in their forward line and concerns over inexperience and indiscipline from last season. Manager Xabi Alonso made 11 changes during the match, as he worked to integrate new players and adapt his tactics (theguardian.com). The draw also marked the end of a difficult pre-season for the club, with further setbacks emerging on the same day.
Injuries added to the woes, as both Trevoh Chalobah and Aaron Anselmino were forced off during the match. Alonso, still in his early days at the club, faces the challenge of stabilizing the squad ahead of the new season. The draw against JDT, while not a victory, may serve as a test of resilience for Chelsea as they continue to build for the future.
