Michy Batshuayi Make Debut For Chelsea

Michy Batshuayi made his Chelsea debut as Antonio Conte secured his first victory since being appointed head coach with a 3-0 win over RZ Pellets WAC.

Despite not being on the official team sheet, Batshuayi came on as a second-half substitute for Diego Costa and almost immediately marked his first appearance with a goal, racing clear of the RZ Pellets defence before unleashing a fierce shot that was deflected over by a recovering defender.

By that stage Chelsea were already a goal ahead thanks to Bertrand Traore, who slid in to convert a pinpoint Willian cross at the second attempt shortly before half-time, after Victor Moses had initiated a lightning counter-attack.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek added a second five minutes from time when he met Moses’ out-swinging corner with a firm header, and fellow substitute Nathaniel Chalobah scored a superb solo third late on.

Conte made three changes to the Chelsea team that lost 2-0 to Rapid Vienna on Saturday, with youngster Ola Aina replacing Baba Rahman at left-back, Oscar coming in for John Obi Mikel in midfield and Traore starting up front alongside Diego Costa in a 4-2-4 system in place of Loftus-Cheek.

The adjustments had an immediate effect, with Traore buzzing brightly around Costa and Oscar providing incisive passes from midfield.

It was the pace and direct running of Willian and Moses, however, that represented the biggest threat for Chelsea in transition, and the Nigerian struck the post with a low shot after just 12 minutes when found in a dangerous position by the surging Brazilian.

Traore wasted a glorious chance to break the deadlock two minutes later, blazing his shot over from close range when found unmarked by Moses, who had smartly tricked his way to the byline.

But the young striker redeemed himself on the stroke of half-time, the ball ricocheting off his sliding body and bobbling into the net after Willian’s clipped low cross had caused panic in the RZ Pellets defence.

Conte rang the changes as the second half wore on, and the introduction of the enthusiastic Batshuayi blew a tiring RC Pellets defence wide open. Racing onto a superb Willian pass, he rounded Christian Dobnik before unselfishly squaring the ball to Moses, whose shot was blocked on the line.

Four minutes from time Batshuayi did put the ball into the net, but was correctly judged to be several yards offside as he raced onto a Loftus-Cheek pass.

But as RC Pettels’ energy levels flagged in the final minutes, the floodgates finally opened. Loftus-Cheek doubled Chelsea’s lead after reaching a Moses corner ahead of Dobnik, and there was still time for Chalobah to produce the game’s outstanding moment of quality, jinking past two defenders and firing low into the bottom corner.

Chelsea will remain at their training base in the southern Austrian town of Velden until Sunday, when they will fly to the United States for matches against Liverpool, Real Madrid and AC Milan in the International Champions Cup.