The move was clearly motivated by Chelsea’s upcoming Premier League season opener against Swansea City.
Advertisement
Meanwhile, Fiorentina impressed against European champions Barcelona in their last game, winning 2-1 thanks to a brace from Federico Bernardeschi.
Chelsea will finalise their preparations for the new season when they take on Serie A side, Fiorentina later tonight at Stamford Bridge.
Depay who was played upfront during preseason, might still be better off on the wings with the industrious Mata better off in a central role where he tends to find space and create goalscoring chances.
The Spanish striker is struggling with a hamstring injury picked up against Barcelona last week.
The Blues have been low-key in the transfer market with the loan signing of Falcao their most high profile acquisition as fans hope that a very quiet summer season is enough to fend over the much improved squads of Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester Utd.
Jose Mourinho’s side had paid lavish sums to bolster key areas by this time last year but, having claimed the title at a canter, the motto of this transfer window seems to be: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. He starts tonight at right back, presumably so Jose Mourinho can crush any further semblance of fun and creativity from the Colombian’s game.
Chelsea responded and Ruben Loftus-Cheek showed great footwork in the area to beat two men before seeing his shot well blocked by Facundo Roncaglia.
Several Chelsea players will be looking to atone for shocking performances on Sunday.
Asmir Begovic joined from Stoke to deputize for first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Not appearing in the Community Shield warrants a bit of a panic.
The winger, though, pays the price for his trickery on the pitch – being the most fouled player in the league.
“I don’t know. I don’t risk saying yes, and I don’t risk saying no. On Friday at the next press conference I think I will tell you again that I don’t know”.
Gary Cahill then had a header saved for Chelsea, before Begovic made a fine save to deny a rising drive from Ante Rebic after he’d held off the challenge of Branislav Ivanovic.
Advertisement
Playing at Stamford Bridge, the Blues will enter as favorites, but it has been a fairly uneven run of recent results for the defending Premier League champions.
