Chelsea has unveiled their new away kit through an unconventional launch video filmed during the Premier League club’s pre-season tour in the United States.
Featured in the video are stars like Mykhailo Mudryk and Nicolas Jackson, showcasing the white shirt adorned with blue and orange accents, all set within a diner in San Jose.
This announcement follows a challenging 4-1 defeat to Celtic just two days earlier in Notre Dame, Indiana, as their US tour faces criticism due to controversies and disappointing performances.
The recent incident involving Enzo Fernandez, where he had to apologize for participating in a ‘racist’ chant on the Argentina team bus, has overshadowed the tour and caused divisions within new coach Enzo Maresca’s squad.
Fans have expressed confusion over the quirky kit launch clip, which features a woman dancing in the new kit inside an American diner.
Chelsea has unveiled their new away kit in a unique launch video featuring Nicolas Jackson
The clip includes a woman dancing in the new kit at a San Jose diner
Enzo Maresca’s pre-season tour has been tumultuous
The video begins in ‘The Smoking Lion’ diner in San Jose, California, where the diner’s spinning logo resembles the Chelsea badge.
Inside, diners are enjoying their meals, but one individual opts to throw food at someone else as a vinyl record starts to play and the cooking hobs are turned off.
The chef exclaims, ‘We lost the fire!’, to which his colleague responds, ‘It’s gonna get cold in here again,’ leading to a camera shot of a model of Chelsea’s Cole ‘Cold’ Palmer.
A woman then enters and unveils the new Chelsea away kit by unzipping her hoodie and proceeds to dance as players like Jackson, Mudryk, and Malo Gusto observe.
The video is filled with special effects featuring blue flames and infrared heat, concluding with a group photo of everyone wearing the kit.
This launch takes place amid a challenging tour in the US, which has brought more issues than answers for manager Maresca.
The recent 4-1 loss to Celtic starkly illustrates the difficulties the Italian manager faces, and the score was only slightly less severe due to a last-minute penalty by Christopher Nkunku.
Earlier, the Blues managed a less embarrassing outcome with a late equalizer from Lesley Ugochukwu in a 2-2 draw against League One’s Wrexham in San Jose.
The chef expresses concern about the temperature in the diner, linking to a model of Cole Palmer
Players, including Malo Gusto, watch the woman dance in the new kit
Fernandez filmed himself singing a ‘racist’ chant on the Argentina team bus during celebrations
Maresca, who transitioned to Chelsea after achieving promotion with Leicester City last season, recognizes the urgent need for rebuilding and has already completed six new signings for the club.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, acquired for £30 million, stands out as the most expensive newcomer, joining from the Foxes. He is part of the more than 30 players brought in by Chelsea’s owner Todd Boehly, whose spending has surpassed £1 billion since taking control in June 2022.
This summer, Chelsea has also secured Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer from Fulham, as well as young talents Marc Guiu, Caleb Wiley, Renato Veiga, and Omari Kellyman.
Currently on their pre-season tour in the USA, the team is expected to finalize two new signings soon.
Goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen from Villarreal is anticipated to join for £20.7 million, with the 22-year-old shot-stopper en route to the United States to complete the transfer.
Defender Aaron Anselmino from Boca Juniors is not expected to travel to the US but will have a medical in London, with an anticipated fee of around £15.6 million.
It’s expected for Maresca to face initial challenges as he implements a new playing style into the team.
They are set to encounter Club America on Wednesday, at which time Jorgensen’s signing is expected to be unveiled.
Following that, Chelsea will face their penultimate match of their US tour against Premier League foes Manchester City in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday, August 3rd.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall followed Maresca to Chelsea from Leicester, while Tosin Adarabioyo has joined on a free transfer from Fulham
Todd Boehly has spent over £1 billion on transfers since taking ownership
Villarreal goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen is set to join Chelsea for £20.7 million
19-year-old defender Aaron Anselmino from Boca Juniors is expected to join Chelsea for £15.6 million
Pep Guardiola’s Premier League champions also faced defeat against Celtic, losing a thrilling match 4-3 in the sweltering heat of North Carolina.
Subsequently, Chelsea will also make the trip to North Carolina for their final tour match in Charlotte.
There, they will challenge the reigning Champions League titleholders, Real Madrid, at the Bank of America Stadium.
