Chelsea vs Wrexham friendly: Team news, predicted lineups and live stream | OneFootball

Chelsea begin their pre-season campaign and their new era under Enzo Maresca with a friendly against Wrexham in the early hours of Thursday morning (3am UK time).

The game in Santa Clara is the first of five scheduled fixtures on Chelsea’s US tour as Maresca looks to stamp his mark on the side in time for their Premier League opener against Manchester City on 18th August.

Wrexham are preparing for their first season in the third tier of English football since 2004/05 and their ambitious owners will use this trip to boost the club’s profile.

The Red Dragons have already played two friendly fixtures in the UK, but this trip, which also features a game in Vancouver, will give boss Phil Parkinson the chance to work with his squad in exceptional surroundings.

Chelsea vs Wrexham team news

Chelsea newbies Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Tosin Adarabioyo, Renato Veiga and Marc Guiu are all expected to feature in California.

Several of the club’s first-team stars have been on international duty over the summer and will join the squad later in the tour or when they return to the UK.

Reece James should captain the side and Romeo Lavia, who has made just one appearance since joining from Southampton last August, is also expected to get minutes.

Fellow 2023 arrival Robert Sanchez has a chance to prove himself in goal, following the rumours he will be favoured ahead of the absent Djordje Petrovic due to his ability with the ball at his feet.

Petrovic and new signing Omari Kellyman have been left at home to continue their rehabilitation from injury, while defenders Trevoh Chalobah and Alfie Gilchrist are also back in London amid rumours they could be sold and loaned respectively.

Wrexham, who have beaten Hanley 5-1 and drawn 1-1 against Bournemouth, could select new signings George Dobson, Arthur Okonkwo, Lewis Brunt and Seb Revan. But star striker Paul Mullin is out with a back injury.

Defender Jacob Mendy has also undergone a procedure to repair a damaged Achilles tendon, but there is good news on Anthony Forde, who returned from a lay-off against Bournemouth and looks set to feature at Levi’s Stadium.

Chelsea vs Wrexham predicted lineups

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Disasi, Adarabioyo, Colwill; Dewsbury-Hall, Veiga; Madueke, Nkunku, Sterling; Jackson.

Wrexham (3-5-2): Okonkwo; Brunt, O’Connell, Cleworth; Bolton, Jones, Evans, Cannon, McClean; Dalby, Marriott.

Maresca looking to make the most of Poch’s legacy

The 2023/24 season was another chaotic campaign for the Blues, but things looked to be coming good under Mauricio Pochettino.

However, the Argentinian made suggestions in the spring that all wasn’t well behind the scenes and, despite leading the club to a sixth-placed finish, departed soon after the final day win over Bournemouth.

Maresca was appointed fresh from leading Leicester to promotion from the Championship and his new club have signed Foxes academy graduate Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, perhaps on his recommendation, while Tosin Adarabioyo, Renato Veiga and Marc Guiu have also joined.

Like Chelsea, Wrexham’s owners also come from North America. Unlike the Blues’ proprietors, they appear happy to let those in charge of football display their expertise.

Parkinson has been in charge since 2021, overseeing successive promotions from the National League and League Two.

He has seen five new players come through the door, but with nine leaving the Racecourse Ground over the summer he has urged his bosses to invest further.