No Sterling or Koulibaly as Chelsea begin pre-season with win over Club America

Werner and Mount get the goals in 2-1 victory at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas

Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount, left, celebrates with teammates team after scoring against Club America during the second half of a friendly match on Saturday, July 16, 2022, in Las Vegas. AP

Chelsea and Club America players following the pre-season friendly match at Allegiant Stadium. Getty

Club America defender Miguel Layun and Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta embrace. AP

Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech shoots during the pre-season friendly match between Chelsea and Club America at Allegiant Stadium on July 16, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Getty

Timo Werner scores Chelsea's first goal against Club America. Getty

Chelsea forward Timo Werner celebrates with teammate Michy Batshuayi after scoring their first goal against Club America. Getty

Jonathan Dos Santos of Club America on the ball during the pre-season friendly against Chelsea. AFP

Thiago Silva leads Chelsea on to the pitch for the pre-season friendly against Club America. AFP

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel looks on prior to the match between Chelsea and Club America. AFP

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 16: Jorge Sanchez of Club America holds off Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi. Getty

Chelsea midfielder Kenedy and Club America midfielder Pedro Aquino battle for the ball. AP

Chelsea defender Malang Sarr, left, and Club América forward Henry Martín challenge for the ball. AP

Callum Hudson-Odoi breaks away with the ball. AFP

Club America fans show their support during the pre-season friendly match between Chelsea and Club America. Getty

Chelsea fans raise a banner prior to the pre-season friendly match at Allegiant Stadium. AFP

Club America defender Bruno Valdez attempts an acrobatic kick next to Chelsea forward Kai Havertz. AP

Kai Havertz shoots while under pressure from Sebastian Caceres of Club America. AFP

Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta celebrates after a goal by Mason Mount against Club America. AP

Chelsea players pose for a team photo prior to the pre-season friendly at Allegiant Stadium. Getty

Chelsea fans will have to wait to get a first glimpse of Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly as the Blues, minus their two newest signings, started their pre-season tour of the United States with a 2-1 win over Club America on Saturday night.

German forward Timo Werner opened the scoring in the 55th minute, before an own goal from English full-back Reece James five minutes later restored parity for Club America in Las Vegas. Midfielder Mason Mount then secured the victory seven minutes from time with a superb strike.

Chelsea's starting line-up was predominantly comprised of players who had reported back earliest for pre-season, with the exceptions of Kai Havertz, Conor Gallagher - returning from his successful loan spell at Crystal Palace - and Thiago Silva, who captained the side at the Allegiant Stadium.

There was also a place in the team for left-back Ben Chilwell, making his first start since a six-month injury layoff following a serious knee injury last November.

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel made 10 changes at halftime - only goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga played the full match - but there was no sight of Sterling or Koulibaly. Sterling joined Chelsea in a £50 million ($59.3m) move from Manchester City on Wednesday, while Koulibaly completed his £34m move from Napoli on Friday.

The two new signings could make their first appearances for Chelsea next Thursday when the Blues face Charlotte FC at the Bank of America Stadium. Chelsea then take on London rivals Arsenal in the Florida Cup at the Camping World Stadium next Sunday, July 24 in Orlando, Florida.

Check out the gallery above for the best photos from Chelsea's win over Club America. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.