Chelsea vs. Fiorentina: Lessons Learned from International Champions Cup

Playing the final International Champions Cup match of 2015, Jose Mourinho's Chelsea could not find the formula to beat Fiorentina.

Attempting to rebound after losing the Community Shield vs. Arsenal, the Blues found scoring against their Italian opposition a bridge too far at home.

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Full-time: Chelsea 0-1 Fiorentina. #CFC pic.twitter.com/6FZAPZWbgJ

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 5, 2015"

Making nine substitutions in his last tune-up game before their opening Premier League match vs. Swansea City, Mourinho gave 20 players an opportunity at Stamford Bridge and only a few players—especially in the first half—did anything to take advantage of the moment.

Here we look at three things the Portuguese might have learned after Chelsea's last pre-season match, in conjunction with Chelsea's entire 2015 summer schedule.

Surprisingly, Victor Moses Looks Chelsea's 2015/16 X-Factor

BEN STANSALL/Getty Images

Starting this pre-season, not many thought Victor Moses was a part of Jose Mourinho's first-team plans, but the Nigerian international has been Chelsea's surprise package.

Direct, quick, tricky and healthy, the 24-year-old (who was bought from Wigan Athletic in 2012 for £9 million) has been the Blues' best player this summer, and he should be third on Mourinho's winger depth chart: below starters Eden Hazard and Willian, but above Juan Cuadrado and Bertrand Traore.

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Mourinho on Moses: 'He has no problem.' #CFC

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 5, 2015"

After a more than disappointing loan spell with Liverpool in 2013/14, followed by a somewhat successful loan with Mark Hughes' Stoke City last season, Chelsea's loan system has developed the winger. It also gave him a platform to impress his Portuguese manager.

Stoke City wanted the Nigerian in the Asmir Begovic deal earlier this summer, and Mourinho told the Potters no, according to the Daily Mail's Simon Jones. It seems his decision was clairvoyant.

Chelsea Desperately Need Another Full-Back

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Selling Ryan Bertrand to Southampton in January, then followed by selling Filipe Luis to Atletico Madrid last month, Jose Mourinho has a distinct lack of full-back options.

Against Fiorentina, 19-year-old attack-minded Bertrand Traore (who last season was used primarily as a centre-forward at Vitesse Arnhem), being left-footed, was given the task of playing at left-back—probably for the first time in his senior career.

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Team to play Fiorentina tonight: Begovic, Cuadrado, Zouma, Terry (c), Aina, Mikel, Loftus-Cheek, Traore, Oscar, Moses, Falcao. #CFC

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 5, 2015"

Furthermore, Mourinho has two natural full-backs on his squad, Cesar Azpilicueta and Ola Aina. Kurt Zouma, Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill and John Terry are preferred centre-backs by trade.

For depth, quality and his own personal well-being (i.e. being able to sleep at night), it would be in Mourinho's best interest to buy a full-back as soon as possible.

Radamel Falcao: Just Rusty or Nearing the Finish Line?

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Allotted nearly an hour at Stamford Bridge, Radamel Falcao was again, anonymous.

Centre-forwards can only play as well as their service, however, so the Colombian's lacklustre performance could be more an indictment of his attacking midfield partners as anything.

Jose Mourinho must answer the question: "Is Falcao simply facing pre-season rust or is the Falcao from Manchester United indeed what the striker has become?"

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Mourinho on Falcao: 'He is very good for the situation. Americas cup, holidays, one week of training sessions, minutes in different matches'

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 5, 2015"

At his best, the 29-year-old striker was known for acceleration around the 18-yard box and clinical finishing. The status of his finishing is unknown, but that is partially because his burst has seemingly vanished.

Call it age. Call it injury. Call it confidence. Call it the combination of all three. Something needs a remedy, else Chelsea are in trouble with Diego Costa's unpredictable hamstrings.

Follow @danieltiluk

*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase where not noted.