Udinese 1 Chelsea 3: Raheem Sterling scores first Blues goal as N’Golo Kante opens pre-season account in hard-fought win

RAHEEM STERLING scored his first Chelsea goal in their pre-season 3-1 win over Udinese.

In the Blues’ final pre-season outing, £50m signing Sterling found the net away in Italy just before half time.

Another new signing – £35m defender Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli – also made his first start.

N’Golo Kante scored the opener on his return having missed his club’s US tour due to his vaccination status while Mason Mount hit a late third.

Ex-Watford forward Gerard Deulofeu grabbed a brief goal back after a mistake by keeper Edouard Mendy.

But Chelsea finally got back to winning ways under boss Thomas Tuchel.

Chelsea ended their US pre-season tour on a low after getting stuffed 4-0 by Arsenal.

Tuchel also accused his players of not being committed both mentally and physically.

But the west Londoners got back to winning ways ahead of their Premier League opener against Everton on Saturday.

Chelsea played their strongest line-up with a back three of new-boy Koulibaly with Thiago Silva and want-away skipper Cesar Azpilicueta.

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Italian international Jorginho and Mount also started in midfield with Kai Havertz up top.

Harvey Vale, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Emerson, Billy Gilmour and Kenedy came on in the second half.

Timo Werner, who has been linked with a move away from the club and was criticised by Tuchel, did not travel due to injury.

Chelsea are playing Udinese tomorrow again behind closed doors, using most of their fringed players to impress Tuchel.

This result came after Jules Kounde snubbed Chelsea for a move to Barcelona, another blow in the transfer market for the west London clubs.