Chelsea’s high line exposed by Real Madrid’s speedsters, Romeo Lavia is growing each match, and Enzo Maresca still has work to do in the transfer window: FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED as the Blues lose to Los Blancos

Chelsea were beaten 2-1 by European Champions Real Madrid in North CarolinaGoals from Lucas Vazquez and Brahim Diaz did the damage for the Spanish sideEnzo Maresca’s side struggled defensively as Madrid sped past them with ease

Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the US ended in defeat as they were beaten 2-1 by Real Madrid in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Enzo Maresca’s side showed their defensive frailties again and conceded first after 19 minutes, with Lucas Vazquez guiding the ball into the bottom corner via a deflection, despite Dani Ceballos’ best efforts to claim it.

Less than 10 minutes late, Los Blancos had a second. This time Brahim Diaz got on the end of a superb pass from Vinicus Jr to round Filip Jorgenson and slot home from a tight angle.

Noni Madueke did pull a goal back for the Blues with his head, but it was not enough to prevent a third defeat in five matches under their new boss.

Here, Mail Sport’s Kieran Gill has a look at the talking points from Chelsea’s last match stateside.

Brahim Diaz finished off a lovely pass from Vinicius Jr in what proved to be the winning goal

Noni Madueke did head home for Chelsea but it was not enough to prevent another defeat

Chelsea 1-2 Real Madrid RECAP: All the reaction7.4k viewing now

Chelsea’s high defensive line exposed

Chelsea’s high line was constantly exposed by Real Madrid’s speedsters. One ball in behind and bang, the Spaniards were through.

If Manchester City’s analysts watch this match as part of their preparations for their Premier League opener at Stamford Bridge, they will take note of that.

We saw last season how Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham struggled whenever someone played a pass over the top and one suspects that will be a problem for Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea, too.

Rodrygo (pictured) amongst others got a lot of joy by getting in behind the Chelsea high line

Maresca’s go-to men

Reece James, Romeo Lavia and Christopher Nkunku are the only players to have started all five friendlies for Chelsea in the United States. That is interesting as they are three players who missed plenty of the last campaign through injury.

Lavia in particular has impressed on this pre-season as we have seen the 20-year-old grow as a deep playmaker with each performance.

Enzo Maresca has started Romeo Lavia (left) in all five of his pre-season matches as Blues boss

Have US pitches affected Blues?

Speaking to Moises Caicedo on Monday, Chelsea’s £115million midfielder was frank when discussing the state of the playing surfaces in the United States.

‘It’s so dry, the pitches,’ he said. ‘We know we are players with amazing quality but sometimes, it’s not all about you. It’s about the pitches.’

Caicedo’s name was missing from the team sheet here so we all assumed he was being rested, but that turned out to be an error as he was introduced in the second half.

Meanwhile, Nicolas Jackson has not made a single squad on this pre-season tour but did train fully with the team on Monday so could face Inter Milan at Stamford Bridge this weekend.

Moises Caicedo moaned about the state of the US pitches before the match with Real Madrid

Vinicius Jr a fine example

Reece James struggled to live with Vinicius Junior but there is no shame in that, given he is one of the best wingers in the world.

Vinicius is a perfect example of what Chelsea want from the starlets they are signing prior to their 18th birthdays. Vinicius was given time to improve and now, he is a certified superstar.

Next summer, Chelsea should have Estevao Willian and Kendry Paez with them on their tour.

Vinicus Jr’s development shows that Chelsea should be patient with a number of their stars

Transfer work still to do

Chelsea now have work to do in the window.

Not only with incomings but outgoings as there are players in their bloated group whose futures need resolving.

Ben Chilwell did not feature against Los Blancos after also not getting on versus Man City

Armando Broja is another who was snubbed by Maresca and could leave Chelsea this summer

Ben Chilwell is one of those given how he hardly featured in the United States with Maresca admitting he is unsure if he can invert.

Armando Broja is another as he did not even make the squad for this match.