Another one-time Old Trafford target – £70million striker Alvaro Morata – made his first start for the Blues.
But he suffered a miserable afternoon as Inter’s victory won the International Champions Cup in Singapore’s National Stadium.
Croatia winger Perisic scored a fine goal and produced a dominant attacking display to send Antonio Conte’s men slumping to a second successive ICC loss.
New signing Morata had little opportunity to make a real impact while he was on the field, with the Spain striker’s only reward for his 65-minute a few bumps and bruises courtesy of Inter’s tough tackling defenders.
Chelsea were hoping his partnership with Michy Batshuayi would help them bounce back from their 3-2 defeat by Bayern Munich.
But although Batshuayi missed a few chances and had a goal disallowed for offside late on, Morata was left frustrated.
He also gave the Premier League champions a slight injury worry at when the Inter keeper fell awkwardly on top of him.
He will now try to open his goal account against Arsenal in next Sunday’s Community Shield.
German defender Antonio Rudiger, signed from Roma, made his Chelsea debut from the bench early in the second half replacing Marcos Alonso.Goals either side of half-time left Chelsea cursing.
Former Manchester City striker Stevan Jovetic was quick to hit home the rebound after Thibault Courtois had saved his penalty – a spot kick unjustly awarded when Cesar Azpilicueta clearly won the ball while tackling Jovetic in the box.
Perisic (below), who Inter are refusing to sell to United, pounced for a second shortly after the break, firing in from an angle after a strong run into the box.
