Malaysian XI 1 Chelsea 4

Last updated : 21 July 2013 By Paul Lagan

Chelsea hammered a Malaysian side this afternoon 4-1 in their second match in their pre-season tour.

Goals from youngster Bertrand Traore, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Victor Moses saw off the home side in the Shah Alam Stadium on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur before the hosts netted just before the final whistle.

Mark Schwarzer started between the sticks for Chelsea with Petr Cech in goal in a completely different second half side.

Frank Lampard remained out of action with an injury but it was a welcome site to see returning Michael Essien and Josh McEachran, although the English midfielder only was a substitute for the second half team.

The Spanish trio remain absent from their Confederations Cup exploits while prospective new boy Wayne Rooney twiddles his thumbs up north getting himself fit for the new season.

Chelsea will have to get close to £40m to get Manchester United to alt their not for sale stance. But that will be given an impetus only when Rooney officially asks for a transfer and makes it public.

Until then, the pressure games between the two boardrooms will continue.
Should United prise Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona then that will open the door for United to release Rooney.

The domino effect will resonate back at SW6 with Demba Ba or Fernando Torres heading out.

With Jose Mourinho setting out to play with a lone striker, one of Ba or Torres will be deemed surplus to requirements.

The Blues need four strikers to get through what s expected to be another hefty schedule in terms of matches, and if Lukaku and Lucas Piazon accept third and fourth positions, that would leave one slot following the expected arrival of the England hitman.

All will be revealed in the coming weeks.

 

As for the Blues, before they head out to the USA, they travel to Indonesia and Jakarta.

Team v Malaysian XI

Chelsea first half (4-2-3-1): Schwarzer; Ivanovic, Chalobah, Terry (c), Bertrand; Van Ginkel, Essien; Traore, De Bruyne (Feruz 31), Hazard; Lukaku.

Chelsea second half (4-2-3-1): Cech; Walace, Kalas, Cahill, Cole; Van Ginkel (McEachran 66), Ramires; Moses, Hazard (Piazon 66), Schurrle; Ba.

Goals Traore 6, De Bruyne 29, Lukaku 45+3, Moses 88
Booked

Malaysia XI: Farizal, Mahalli (Fadhli h-t), Azizi Matt Rose (Fadhli 45+1), Asraruddin (Reuben 83), Aidil Zafuan (c) (Putera 81), Norshahrul (Safee 67), Shakir (Nazmi 67), Gurusamy (Safiq 55), Kunanlan (Nazrin 71), Amri (Zubir 87), Shahrul (Norfarhan 55).

Goals Fadhli 90+1
Booked

Referee Nagor Amir Bin Noor Mohamed
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