This was a fluctuating tale of two world champions, first with Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister shining before his fellow-Argentinian, Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández, ran the show.
Fernández was terrific, enjoying the more advanced role granted by his compatriot, Mauricio Pochettino. Fernández told Chelsea’s new head coach that he wanted to play a “bit more loose”, and was given licence to push on with Conor Gallagher holding. Insert Moises Caicedo in that midfield, and Chelsea will have a balance of silk and steel. Fernández actually offers both.
At one point, Fernández, the embodiment of controlled aggression, drove through an Andy Robertson challenge, brushing the full back aside and forging ahead with the ball.
Yet it was Mac Allister who was first to show what he can do.
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