Chelsea youngster Dastan Satpaev made an immediate impression on his debut with a lovely opener as the Blues opened their pre-season tour of Asia against Western Sydney Wanderers.
Satpaev, technically playing as a triallist from his boyhood club Kairat Almaty until his move to Chelsea is confirmed when he turns 18 in August, netted after just seven minutes at the Accor Stadium.
But Xabi Alonso, taking charge of his first game in front of supporters, saw his young side concede an equaliser seven minutes later.
Satpaev stars as Palmer watches on for Chelsea
Satpaev was handed a first start as part of a youthful XI with most of the club’s more senior pros, such as Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill, on the bench.
And he made a strong start in front of an enthusiastic crowd, latching on to Ryan Kavuma-McQueen’s through ball and lashing his effort high into the net.
Kavuma-McQueen also impressed in the early stages on a soggy pitch and could have made it 2-0 four minutes later, his left-foot shot tipped over the bar by Western Sydney goalkeeper Jordan Holmes.
The home side, who finished bottom of the A-League last season, finally got a foothold in the game and Chelsea goalkeeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe was called upon after 13 minutes to make a good save to deny Liam Gillian.
Sharman-Lowe did not cover himself in glory shortly after, though, failing to keep out Anthony Pantazopoulos’ header as Western Sydney levelled matters.
Team News for Western Sydney Wanderers v Chelsea
Chelsea will be without Rogers, Malo Gusto, Pedro Neto, Trevoh Chalobah, Reece James and Enzo Fernández, none of whom have travelled.
Estêvão and Jamie Gittens should start but Quenda and Emegha have stayed in London to deal with minor knocks.
Palmer and João Pedro, both left out of their countries’ World Cup squads, are expected to be heavily involved.
Western Sydney Wanderers will select from their full A-League squad although Talay is likely to make changes as the game goes on.
WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS TEAM NEWS
Western Sydney: Holmes; Ferreyra, Gersbach, Pantazopoulos, Madanha; Scicluna, Thurgate; Di Pizio, Hammond, Gillion; Borrello
Western Sydney Substitutes: Thomas, Vidackovic, Ugarkovic, Milanovic, Morrison, Carluccio, Lual, Barrie, Katrib, Rose, Cetinic, Hassarati, Waraga, Fransen, Savic, Abdul-Rahman
CHELSEA TEAM NEWS
Chelsea are without new signing Morgan Rogers, Malo Gusto, Pedro Neto, Trevoh Chalobah, Reece James and Enzo Fernández, none of whom have travelled due to their World Cup commitments.
Geovany Quenda and Emmanuel Emegha were left London to deal with minor knocks.
Chelsea: Sharman-Lowe; Acheampong, Adarabioyo, Subuloye, Emenalo; Essugo, Walsh, Watson, Satpayev, Kavuma-McQueen; Delap
Chelsea Substitutes: Sanchez; Curd, Colwill, Fofana, Anselmino, Palestra, Diakite, Lavia, Nicoll-Jazuli, Kellyman, Palmer, Estevao, Gittens, Pedro
How to watch Western Sydney Wanderers v Chelsea: TV and online streams
Western Sydney Wanderers versus Chelsea kicked off on Tuesday at 7.45pm local time in Sydney, which is 10.45am UK time.
The match is not being shown on UK television but can be streamed worldwide via Chelsea’s own CFC+ service. It is also available on Paramount+ in Australia, DAZN in Japan, VG+ in Norway and Claro Sports across Central and South America.
Stats for Western Sydney Wanderers v Chelsea
- This is Chelsea’s first match in Australia in more than a decade
- The fixture is the opening game of the 2026 Sydney Super Cup, which also features Tottenham Hotspur, Sydney FC and Juventus’ women’s side among others
- Chelsea finished 10th in the Premier League last season under three different permanent and caretaker managers
- Accor Stadium has a capacity of 83,500, making it one of the largest venues in the Southern Hemisphere
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