Gonzalo Rodriguez scored the only goal of the game as Jose Mourinho's men signed off in disappointing fashion ahead of the Premier League kick-off
Chelsea ended their pre-season in sluggish style as Fiorentina ran away victors at Stamford Bridge.
Gonzalo Rodriguez scored the only goal of the game as Jose Mourinho's men ended signed off in disappointing fashion ahead of the Premier League kick-off.
The Blues, making seven changes from the team that fell to Community Shield defeat last weekend, never really got going as an array of fringe players failed to grasp the opportunity to push for a first-team place.
Chelsea now switch their attention to Swansea on Saturday and the start of their title defence.
Here are five things we learned tonight:
Juan Cuadrado could be "like a new signing" - but not on tonight's evidence
When Juan Cuadrado arrived amid much fanfare in January few would have imagined that it would be the man heading the other way to tonight's opponents, Mo Salah, who hogged all the headlines in the season's second half.
Salah dazzled in Florence while Cuadrado fizzled in west London. It remains to be seen, then, whether he can produce as we head into his first full season on our shores.
Anyone who watched him at last summer's World Cup can tell you that he has talent, but, on the contrary, anyone who watched him at Fiorentina can tell you he doesn't always use it.
In a very un-Chelsea way Chelsea haven't been big players in the summer transfer window. That could of course all change if John Stones comes in before the window slams shut but by the Blues standards it has been a quiet and penny pinching offseason.
That gives the likes of Cuadrado a chance to really stamp his authority on the side this year and become a regular piece of the puzzle. He was lively and neat and tidy this evening without being too spectacular.
He needs more. For £20m plus Chelsea want more. With Willian ahead of him he'll have to do more. If he does he could be like the new signing Chelsea haven't made.
RADAMEL FALCAO ISNT YET FIT
On a star-studded bench Diego Costa's name was conspicuous by its absence.
Mourinho left him out of the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal at the weekend with fears continuing over his troublesome hamstring.
And Jose again chose to rest the Spaniard against Fiorentina and heading into the new season the health of his star striker must be his biggest headache. For all of Chelsea's class and talent their hopes both at home and abroad will still live and die on Costa's fragile body and his ability to get it out on the pitch more often than not.
With Loic Remy still flattering to deceive - he was hauled off after just 45 minutes at the weekend - Radamel Falcao projects to be the man charged with filling Costa's hefty boots. A stern test for any forward in world football, let alone one still scratching around for form.
The much-maligned Colombian figures to be one of the storylines of the season regardless of what he does out on the pitch. Fail and it's a Louis van Gaal "I told you so", succeed and Mourinho will never let his Dutch rival forget it.
Tonight he was blowing from the off. He got a 45 minute run out last weekend and a little longer this evening but he'll need more miles in his legs before he's sharp enough to adequately replace the rapier-like Costa. Remy is still the clubhouse leader ahead of Swansea.
TRAORE COULD BE A WILDCARD
After finally getting a work permit this summer the youngster from Burkina Faso can at last show Chelsea what he can do now after years in the Vitesse wilderness. And he looks the part already.
Traore looked good, even though he was deployed somewhat out of position at left back in Mourinho's chosen 4-2-3-1 system. Despite that he settled in well and dovetailed nicely with Moses, Oscar and Falcao ahead of him up the pitch.
Now, there is a certain PFA Player of the Year in his way if he is to force his way into the starting XI in his chosen position, and at 19 he still has some way to go, but he certainly has the raw materials to give it a good go.
Chelsea are blessed with an abundance of attacking options that are the envy of the league, but should Mourinho want a wildcard this season at any time Traore could be his man.
AS COULD OLA AINA
Mourinho has already hinted that a few more of the Blues prodigious youth teamers could get a first-team look in this term. And while Ruben Loftus-Cheek is the favourite to be the first cab off the rank, another may not be too far behind.
Ola Aina got the nod at right back this evening and didn't look out of place at all in a solid first 45. The England U19 international is highly thought of at Stamford Bridge and has the ability and versatility to play on either flank of a back four.
That could prove a valuable string to the 18-year-old's bow, as with Filipe Luis' replacement yet to be finalised Mourinho could be tempted to utilise Aina as a left field understudy for first choice Cesar Azpilicueta if a deal can't be done elsewhere.
CHELSEA ARENT YET AT IT
Despite a second-half comeback of sorts Chelsea didn't look on the pace against Arsenal on Sunday. They were second off the mark, second to every ball and in truth very much second best.
If Jose had demanded an improvement prior to tonight he didn't get it.
They again didn't look at the races, especially in a first half where they didn't register a single shot on goal. Of course, the likes of Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas were largely left in reserve but with numerous internationals still getting the nod it's fair to say Mourinho would have wanted better.
With just three days before Swansea and the start of their Premier League title defence they could be forgiven for having half an eye on the weekend but Mourinho will certainly have wanted his troops to be looking a lot less undercooked ahead of the big kick-off than they do right now. There may be trouble ahead.
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