Chelsea vs Wrexham LIVE! Pre-season friendly result, match stream, latest updates and reaction today

Chelsea vs Wrexham LIVE!

Mauricio Pochettino began life as Chelsea manager with a huge win against Wrexham as the Blues kicked off their pre-season tour and a brand new era with a bang in the United States. The former Tottenham boss is overseeing a huge rebuild of the club following such a disappointing season last time out and handed a slew of debuts in his first match in charge in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Ian Maatsen was the unlikely hero of a youthful starting XI with an average age of just 19 as he netted a stylish first-half brace with assists from Nicolas Jackson and Carney Chukwuemeka, with dominant Chelsea then turning up the heat late on to add real gloss to the scoreline.

First Conor Gallagher fired home, then new £53million signing Christopher Nkunku rounded the goalkeeper before finishing in expert fashion. The rout was finished off by a lovely lob from Ben Chilwell, teed up by another fresh arrival in Angelo Gabriel. Follow Chelsea vs Wrexham reaction live below, with expert analysis from Nizaar Kinsella at Kenan Memorial Stadium!

Chelsea vs Wrexham highlights

• GOAL! Chilwell scoops in fifth with last kick

• GOAL! Nkunku scores debut effort at death

• GOAL! Gallagher squeezes home late third

• GOAL! Maatsen nets again after Chukwuemeka pass

• GOAL! Maatsen strikes early after Jackson assist

Chelsea 5-0 Wrexham: Match report

07:55 , Marc Mayo

It was a fruitful debut for Mauricio Pochettino in the Chelsea dugout overnight.

Christopher Nkunku was among the goals on his first appearance in a 5-0 win over Wrexham.

Recap the action with our match report

Ian Maatsen issues update on Chelsea future

07:29 , Marc Mayo

Ian Maatsen says he wants to stay at Chelsea next season with his future in limbo amid Burnley’s attempts to sign him on a permanent basis.

The 21-year-old scored the opening two goals in a 5-0 win over Wrexham in Mauricio Pochettino’s first game in charge of the club.

Maatsen was one of a number of young players who have uncertain futures despite being on the club’s pre-season tour of the United States.

Speaking after his star display, Maatsen revealed that he would ideally like to remain at Chelsea: “I hope to come back here and show the fans and the manager what I am capable of.

“Of course, sometimes it is difficult [not knowing your future] but you try to do your best all the time, stay calm and not stress.”

Read the full story

Chelsea 5-0 Wrexham: Video recap

07:10 , Marc Mayo

Mauricio Pochettino confirms Reece James return

07:03 , Marc Mayo

Mauricio Pochettino says Reece James will join the Chelsea squad “soon” and praised Christopher Nkunku for his goalscoring debut.

The new Blues boss oversaw Chelsea’s 5-0 win over Wrexham in their opening pre-season match in the United States.

Pochettino gave an update on the defender’s availability after the game on Wednesday night, saying: “He is flying soon and he is going to join the team.”

Read the full story

Just waking up? Here’s what you missed

06:25 , Marc Mayo

Recap the action with our three takeaways from Chelsea’s win over Wrexham, including a fine performance from Ian Maatsen and the battle to be Mauricio Pochettino’s No9.

Read the full story

Chelsea ratings

04:17 , George Flood

Jamie Cumming - 6

Untested by Wrexham.

Malo Gusto - 7

A perfect Pochettino display, attacking while also recovering to defend.

Trevoh Chalobah - 7

Looked after his younger team-mates in a vocal display as an unlikely captain.

Bashir Humphreys - 6

Looked comfortable in possession but rarely tested.

Marc Cucurella - 5

Outshone by Gusto in an unremarkable first 45 minutes. He somehow came on again late despite already being substituted.

Click here to read Nizaar Kinsella’s Chelsea ratings in full

Nkunku vs Jackson battle

04:16 , George Flood

Jackson came off for Nkunku in the second half. Amid a radical first year under new ownership, Chelsea have spent well over £600million but the former RB Leipzig forward is arguably the most exciting arrival.

It was a shame, however, that Chelsea couldn’t dominate the second half as much as the first, leaving him to be a passenger in the match.

The 25-year-old sparked into life after Cesare Casadei’s through ball, rounding the goalkeeper to score. He might start up front against Liverpool on the opening day.

Jackson passes first striker audition

04:15 , George Flood

The 22-year-old set up Maatsen’s first goal with a brilliant dribble around Ben Tozer. He was a constant threat whenever Chelsea got an opportunity to break.

He didn’t, however, get a shot on goal as he almost emulated what Harry Kane does at Tottenham, dropping deep and allowing the wingers to get on the end of his flick-ons and passes.

Maatsen shines but what is the plan?

04:15 , George Flood

Maatsen showed his quality in front of goal in an impressive 45-minute display, playing out of position on the left wing.

Having added goals and assists from left wing-back last season at Burnley, his attacking ability should come as no surprise.

However, having signed Marc Cucurella last summer, you have to wonder what is the plan for Maatsen?

Pochettino is a fan, but can Chelsea find space for this young talent when Ben Chilwell and Lewis Hall are also in the squad?

Pochettino on Nkunku debut

04:15 , George Flood

“The most important thing now is to get feelings, starting to play again after the holidays. All the players came at different levels and now it is about putting them all at similar levels.

“I think for the possibility today and the different players we have available and I think it’s a position we decide today… we only have Jackson and him with the possibility to play as a striker.”

Pochettino explains Cucurella return

04:13 , George Flood

Pochettino explains that decision to bring Cucurella back on in the second half...

04:12 , George Flood

Pochettino singles out Carney Chukwuemeka, Andrey Santos and Cesare Casadei for praise...

“They need time but the profile is good.”

Pochettino on Reece James

04:11 , George Flood

“He is flying soon and is going to join the team.”

Chelsea 5-0 Wrexham

04:10 , George Flood

Nizaar Kinsella at Kenan Memorial Stadium

Not sure what we learned from that but there’s some silky young players at Chelsea.

Mauricio Pochettino to build in a 4-2-3-1 in his usual blueprint. 5-0 is a good way to start pre-season, albeit against a low-level side.

Mauricio Pochettino reaction

04:09 , George Flood

“I’m happy because of the attitude, of course, there’s a lot to improve but it is part of the process in this period to learn how we want to play and also be in a [good] physical condition.

“I am happy with the performance.”

Full-time

02:59 , George Flood

Chelsea 5-0 Wrexham

What a start to the Pochettino era!

GOAL! Chelsea 5-0 Wrexham | Ben Chilwell 94'

02:57 , George Flood

94 mins: It’s five with the last action of the game!

Chilwell scoops home wonderfully over Lainton after a fine run and assist from Angelo Gabriel. A perfect night for Pochettino.

GOAL! Chelsea 4-0 Wrexham | Christopher Nkunku 90'

02:54 , George Flood

90 mins: Nkunku has a debut goal at the death!

He’s picked out by the impressive Casadei and slots home after initially being foiled by a touch from Lainton.

Good composure from Chelsea’s new £53m signing.

Chelsea 3-0 Wrexham

02:51 , George Flood

Nizaar Kinsella at Kenan Memorial Stadium

Marc Cucurella has just been subbed ON after being taken off at half-time. What is going on? Mauricio Pochettino is playing by his own rules with roll-on, roll-off substitutes.

Chelsea 3-0 Wrexham

02:50 , George Flood

85 mins: Wrexham call for handball inside the box against Casadei, but there’s nothing doing.

They’ve not really laid a glove on Chelsea tonight, in truth.

02:50 , George Flood

84 mins: Erm, is this roll-on, roll-off subs?!

Cucurella, who went off earlier, is now back on, replacing Chalobah.

An interesting approach from Pochettino!

GOAL! Chelsea 3-0 Wrexham | Conor Gallagher 80'

02:44 , George Flood

80 mins: And that should be that!

Sterling cuts in from the left and then drifts right and horizontally across the edge of the box, eventually teeing up Gallagher for a rather tame-looking low strike that Lainton should keep out.

He gets fingertips to it but can’t keep it from nestling in the bottom corner. Poor from Wrexham’s replacement ‘keeper.

Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham

02:43 , George Flood

Nizaar Kinsella at Kenan Memorial Stadium

New signing Angelo Gabriel has looked bright in this second half for Chelsea, skipping past defenders and looking creative.

Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham

02:43 , George Flood

78 mins: Bergstrom is called into action very quickly as Chelsea fail to deal with an outswinging corner from the right and a firm header is clawed away.

The offside flag is up anyway.

Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham

02:41 , George Flood

76 mins: Pochettino changes his goalkeeper with less than quarter of an hour to play.

Jamie Cumming, who hasn’t had much to do at all tonight, is replaced by one-cap Finland international Luca Bergstrom, 20.

Kepa Arrizabalaga stays on the bench.

Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham

02:39 , George Flood

73 mins: Back underway after another drinks break.

Chelsea are coasting now, with Wrexham offering very little by way of attacking threat with just over 15 minutes still to play in North Carolina.

Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham

02:35 , George Flood

70 mins: It should be 3-0!

Casadei gets forward again and cuts the ball back for Angelo Gabriel, whose delicious cross is somehow nodded over by Sterling at the back post.

Chelsea’s best moment of this second half so far.

Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham

02:34 , George Flood

Nizaar Kinsella at Kenan Memorial Stadium

Chelsea have been much less threatening in the second half. Wrexham are taking way more of the ball.

Nkunku is Chelsea’s most exciting recent signing by some distance but hasn’t really touched the ball yet.

Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham

02:32 , George Flood

68 mins: Casadei has been far more eager to get forward in this second half, bursting through from midfield at will.

This time he’s just foiled by Lainton after a searching pass from Gallagher.

Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham

02:28 , George Flood

64 mins: Pochettino now sends for Lewis Hall, who replaces the impressive Andrey Santos.

A sight of goal for Chelsea, but Sterling lashes wide after being teed up by Nkunku.

Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham

02:27 , George Flood

61 mins: Six more changes now after the hour mark from Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson.

Ollie Palmer, Billy Waters, Luke Young, Max Cleworth, Jordan Davies and Liam McAlinden are all on.

Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham

02:23 , George Flood

59 mins: The first yellow card of the evening goes to Casadei, who overruns and loses the ball before frustratedly hacking down Tom O’Connor, who has moved forward into midfield after the break.

Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham

02:22 , George Flood

56 mins: Chelsea are dominating possession now as they go in search of a third goal that would surely kill this contest.

A couple of nice touches for Nkunku, but no chances to speak of just yet for the £53m Frenchman.

It’s patient and probing from the Blues, but not particularly threatening.

Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham

02:21 , George Flood

The new Chelsea boss surveys the scene in his first match in charge...

Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham

02:16 , George Flood

50 mins: A lively start to the second half as the excellent Andrey Santos almost releases midfield partner Casadei inside the box, but Wrexham ‘keeper Lainton - a half-time replacement for Ben Foster - comes out to snuff out the danger.

Mullin also with a poor effort for the Welsh side, along with a driven attempt well over from James Jones following a corner.

Neither Rob Reynolds nor Rob McElhenney are in attendance tonight, by the way.

Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham

02:11 , George Flood

Five changes from Wrexham at the interval, with Rob Lainton, Ryan Barnett, Will Boyle, Callum McFadzean and Aaron Hayden all on.

Conor Gallagher and Ben Chilwell are also on for Chelsea, as is new signing Angelo Gabriel and fellow youngster Alfie Gilchrist.

Goalscorer Maatsen among those to go off - there will be no hat-trick for the Dutchman tonight.

Here’s their XI for the second half:

Cumming, Chalobah, Gilchrist, Humphreys, Chilwell, Santos, Casadei, Gallagher, Angelo, Sterling, Nkunku

Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham

02:08 , George Flood

A number of changes are coming from Chelsea at half-time, as expected.

They include Christopher Nkunku and Raheem Sterling.

Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham

01:59 , George Flood

Nizaar Kinsella at Kenan Memorial Stadium

Andrey Santos looks real quality. Quick, clever passing and willing to take the ball from defenders to make things happen.

Cesare Casadei is a bit safer than both the Brazilian and Carney Chukwuemeka. There’s a chance one or two of these players could make Pochettino’s squad next season given the shortage of midfielders.

Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham

01:58 , George Flood

Nizaar Kinsella at Kenan Memorial Stadium

Pochettino is furious at the referee after he blew the whistle for half-time while Chelsea were on the break.

He said this is no friendly for him at his pre-match press conference and he is proving it now in front of his squad.

Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham

01:56 , George Flood

Half-time

So far, so good for Pochettino in his first match in charge of Chelsea.

Ian Maatsen, a player linked with a permanent exit from Stamford Bridge this summer, has netted twice after fine assists from new signing Nicolas Jackson and Carney Chukwuemeka.

Wrexham have had their moments, but are suffering from a real lack of quality other than Paul Mullin.

Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham

01:54 , George Flood

47 mins: Wrexham try their best to reply before the interval, but Lee can’t find the space for a shot just outside the box.

Chelsea then break with menace, only for the referee to stop them in their tracks by blowing for half-time.

The Blues protest furiously, led by an angered Pochettino...

Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham

01:52 , George Flood

Nizaar Kinsella at Kenan Memorial Stadium

Maatsen has turned into peak Heung-min Son on the wing for Pochettino. Great finish for 2-0, Chukwuemeka with a lovely asisst.

Chukwuemeka has unsurprisingly been really good. Surely he could be the Mason Mount replacement for Chelsea...

GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham | Ian Maatsen 42'

01:47 , George Flood

42 mins: It’s that man again!

Maatsen again leaves Foster with no chance, doubling Chelsea’s advantage just before half-time after a gorgeous one-two with Carney Chukwuemeka.

An unlikely hero of Pochettino’s first game in charge.

Chelsea 1-0 Wrexham

01:45 , George Flood

38 mins: Not too much action to speak of in the last few minutes in Chapel Hill.

Jackson proving a nuisance once again in the Wrexham box, but it’s diligent defending by Jacob Mendy, who is now down hurt.

Chelsea 1-0 Wrexham

01:42 , George Flood

Nizaar Kinsella at Kenan Memorial Stadium

You can see the identity that Pochettino is trying to bring here but the players are struggling to reach the intensity required in this heat. Long throw has been a problem.

Malo Gusto is doing a really good job of being a Pochettino-style full-back, shuffling up and down the flank. Jackson’s pace is very hard for a League Two defence to handle.

Casadei a bit safer than the other two midfielders but his physicality allowed him to produce a great dribble.

Chelsea 1-0 Wrexham

01:39 , George Flood

33 mins: What’s been clear for Chelsea so far tonight is the pace of Jackson.

He’s obviously got some serious speed and the Blues would do well to utilise it as often as possible.

Their latest attack grinds to a halt as Maatsen is flagged offside.

Chelsea 1-0 Wrexham

01:38 , George Flood

31 mins: A warning for Chelsea there despite Chalobah rising brilliantly to connect with Tozer’s latest long throw from the left.

The ball is headed to the back post, where Eoghan O’Connell nods it wide.

Chelsea 1-0 Wrexham

01:32 , George Flood

27 mins: It’s 27 degrees with around 70 per cent humidity in Chapel Hill, so we’re going to have the first of two scheduled in-game drinks breaks now.

Chelsea leading after that Ian Maatsen finish after only three minutes, but Wrexham have more than played their part so far.

Pochettino in deep discussion with Diego Moreira.

Chelsea 1-0 Wrexham

01:32 , George Flood

Chelsea 1-0 Wrexham

01:30 , George Flood

23 mins: Wonderful play from Mullin again to get away from his marker before proving too hot to handle for Gusto, who brings him down and concedes a free-kick in a dangerous area.

Wrexham deliver a decent ball to the back post and it’s turned back into the six-yard box, but there are no white shirts to guide it home.

Chelsea instead scramble clear.

Chelsea 1-0 Wrexham

01:27 , George Flood

20 mins: Wonderful centre-forward play from the experienced Mullin, holding off his man to set up the counter and feed Sam Dalby down the left-hand flank.

But again stand-in Chelsea captain Chalobah is nice and quick to come out and see off the danger.

Tozer has a dangerous long throw very much from the Rory Delap school, but Chelsea, to their credit, have done well defending them so far tonight.

Chelsea 1-0 Wrexham

01:24 , George Flood

17 mins: Better from Chelsea but Moreira’s first touch is heavy and the chance is lost.

Cucurella can’t prevent another Wrexham corner at the other end, but it’s swung in too deep and the ball flies out of play harmlessly for a goal kick.

Chelsea 1-0 Wrexham

01:21 , George Flood

14 mins: Some good interplay going forward from Chelsea involving Jackson and Maatsen again, orchestrated nicely by Casadei.

But the Blues lose it in midfield and Wrexham counter, with young Bashir Humphreys standing up to the challenge of Mullin and conceding a corner.

Chelsea eventually end up with a pressure-relieving free-kick after a spot of wrestling between Mullin and Cucurella in the box.

Chelsea 1-0 Wrexham

01:18 , George Flood

12 mins: Here come Wrexham again and Marc Cucurella is all too easily exposed down Chelsea’s left-hand side.

Stop me if you’ve heard that one before.

A deep cross comes in, Chalobah heads it away before Elliot Lee misses the target with an ambitious overhead kick.

What an equaliser that would have been!

Chelsea 1-0 Wrexham

01:16 , George Flood

10 mins: Wrexham are seeing plenty of the ball inside this opening 10 minutes, despite falling behind very early indeed.

But Chelsea’s backline manage to squeeze up to catch Mullin offside.

Chelsea 1-0 Wrexham

01:14 , George Flood

7 mins: Wrexham have responded well since going behind and are on the attack, looking for a quick equaliser.

A trademark long throw-in from Ben Tozer creates panic inside the Chelsea six-yard box, with star striker Paul Mullin’s effort blocked after an initial header away by Chalobah.

GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Wrexham | Ian Maatsen 3’

01:08 , George Flood

3 mins: That certainly didn’t take long!

Chelsea are in front inside a matter of minutes and it’s a quick assist on debut for Nicolas Jackson.

He bursts forward into the box and tees up former Burnley loanee Maatsen for a composed sweeped finish low beyond Ben Foster.

The Pochettino era has swift lift-off!

01:03 , George Flood

KICK-OFF

01:02

The Mauricio Pochettino era at Chelsea is officially underway!

Pochettino selects young Chelsea starting lineup

Thursday 20 July 2023 00:39 , George Flood

That’s a much younger Chelsea squad than most had expected, with Trevoh Chalobah taking the captain’s armband initially.

Nicolas Jackson makes his debut in attack alongside fellow new arrival Diego Moreira and Ian Maatsen, with Mauricio Pochettino seemingly opting for a 4-2-3-1 formation.

The average age of Pochettino’s first XI is just 19.09.

Enzo Fernandez, Levi Colwill, Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke are not involved for Chelsea having joined up later than the rest of their team-mates for pre-season.

Chelsea lineup

Thursday 20 July 2023 00:24 , George Flood

Starting XI: Cumming, Gusto, Chalobah, Humphreys, Cucurella, Andrey Santos, Casadei, Chukwuemeka, Moreira, Jackson, Maatsen

Subs: Kepa, Bergstrom, Silva, Chilwell, Gilchrist, Hall, Gallagher, Angelo Gabriel, Sterling, Nkunku

Thursday 20 July 2023 00:19 , George Flood

Still no Chelsea lineup confirmed, with only around 40 minutes until kick-off now.

Got to be coming soon, surely!

Wrexham lineup

Thursday 20 July 2023 00:15 , George Flood

Starting XI: Foster, O’Connell, Tozer, O’Connor, Forde, Jones, Cannon, Lee, Mendy, Dalby, Mullin

Subs: Lainton, Barnett, McFadzean, Cleworth, Boyle, Hayden, Young, Davies, McAlinden, Palmer, Waters

Lineups on the way

Thursday 20 July 2023 00:07 , George Flood

Not long at all now until we get the official team news from Chapel Hill.

Stay tuned! Who will be included in Mauricio Pochettino’s first Chelsea XI?

Wednesday 19 July 2023 23:53 , George Flood

The Blues are in the house....

Pochettino ‘really sad’ after Fofana injury blow

Wednesday 19 July 2023 23:43 , George Flood

The news of Wesley Fofana’s latest major injury blow comes as a crushing setback to the French defender, whose progress is being severely disrupted once again.

Chelsea’s £80m signing from last summer will be sidelined for several months as the result of a serious knee injury which the Blues confirmed yesterday would require anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery.

“Really sad, really bad news,” Mauricio Pochettino told reporters.

“We feel so sad. We can only help him and to be again with the team we know it is tough. We need to help him and wish him all the best.

“We need to keep going, the competition is there. The competition doesn’t wait for anyone and we need to be ready.”

Asked if Fofana might play at all next season, the manager responded: “I hope [so], yes.

“You have all of the information that this is difficult. He is evolving in a different way but hopefully his recovery goes very well.”

Wednesday 19 July 2023 23:29 , George Flood

Whoops!

You have to imagine that Christian Pulisic’s exit from Chelsea was a bit of a nightmare for the US marketers of tonight’s friendly...

Wrexham relishing pressure of big crowds on US trip

Wednesday 19 July 2023 23:22 , George Flood

Some might expect Wrexham’s formerly non-league players to get somewhat overawed by the sense of occasion in these high-profile US games, despite them only being pre-season friendlies.

However, manager Phil Parkinson actually believes they will act in a similar fashion to those memorable FA Cup ties against the likes of Coventry and Sheffield United from last term, which stood them in great stead to last the pace when the promotion pressure really piled on again late in the campaign.

"It's always good for players to play in front of big crowds, expectations, because as the season goes on the pressure mounts for all teams vying hopefully at the top of the table," he said.

"It's always a good indicator how the players react to those pressure games.

"Last year in the FA Cup we played Coventry and Sheffield United, high-profile games for us.

"I thought they were great benchmarks for what was to come towards the end of the season when the pressure really mounted in those crucial games we had to win to get promotion."

Phil Parkinson: Wrexham playing in front of 50,000 ‘surreal'

Wednesday 19 July 2023 23:14 , George Flood

What an unbelievable occasion this is for Wrexham tonight, and what an unbelievable journey they have had so far under their illustrious Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

Back in the EFL for the first time in some 15 years and now known around the world thanks to the success of the wildly popular FX series ‘Welcome to Wrexham’, Phil Parkinson’s side face the Los Angeles Galaxy and Manchester United after tonight’s meeting with Chelsea, which is part of the 2023 FC Series - a national expansion of the Florida Cup.

“Last year we were playing Nantwich Town in our first official pre-season game and now we’re playing Chelsea,” Parkinson said this week.

“Me and Shaun [Harvey, advisor to the Wrexham board] were saying that when we both came on board that we didn’t expect two years later to be playing in front of 50,000 people.

“It’s got that surreal feel to it but it’s part of the journey of Wrexham, the profile of the club and what the owners have created.

“It’s been an enjoyable journey for everybody. We loved last year and getting promotion but it’s now fully focused on the season ahead.”

Pochettino demands winning Chelsea mentality

Wednesday 19 July 2023 22:59 , George Flood

Tonight’s tie is a friendly in name only for Mauricio Pochettino, who is looking for his players to hit the ground running immediately under his leadership against inferior opposition.

It has been a gruelling first few weeks of pre-season training for the Blues as their new boss tries to raise the fitness levels with plenty of double sessions in the heat.

“We are working to build the physical condition first,” Pochettino told reporters yesterday.

“I’m very excited about our first friendly game. But when you are at Chelsea, all the games are official.

“Football is about to win to create good feelings. Even if we play a friendly with young players it is about that mentality.”

Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella at Kenan Memorial Stadium

Wednesday 19 July 2023 22:49 , George Flood

There’s a staggering amount of Wrexham fans at this match, reports Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella in Chapel Hill. It looks like almost a 50/50 split by the eye test...

Chelsea vs Wrexham prediction

Wednesday 19 July 2023 22:41 , George Flood

The Blues should find the League Two team a fairly comfortable opponent for their first outing under Mauricio Pochettino.

Chelsea to win, 4-1.

Chelsea team news

Wednesday 19 July 2023 22:40 , George Flood

New Chelsea signings Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson will hope to be handed their respective debuts tonight along with Malo Gusto and Andrey Santos, players who officially joined in January before being sent straight back out on loan.

It sounds like we are going to see plenty of young talents given a chance across the evening, based on training reports from North Carolina.

Mauricio Pochettino is definitely without Wesley Fofana, whose terrible injury luck has continued with the news that he has undergone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery.

Fellow centre-back Benoit Badiashile is also out injured, while Reece James is yet to make the trip across the Atlantic due to illness.

Armando Broja and Marcus Bettinelli have also been left behind due to fitness reasons, while Romelu Lukaku, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Hakim Ziyech and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were all omitted from the tour squad as they seek moves away from Chelsea.

We are likely to see a fresh team in each half from Pochettino and it will fascinating to see those early combinations.

Predicted Chelsea XI: Kepa; Gusto, Thiago Silva, Colwill, Chilwell; Andrey Santos, Fernandez, Gallagher; Nkunku, Jackson, Sterling.

How to watch Chelsea vs Wrexham

Wednesday 19 July 2023 22:34 , George Flood

TV channel and live stream: In the UK, tonight’s game will be broadcast live and for free on the official Chelsea website and Fifth Stand app.

It is also being shown on Viaplay Sports 1 with a subscription.

Welcome to Chelsea vs Wrexham LIVE coverage!

Wednesday 19 July 2023 22:31 , George Flood

Good evening and welcome to the Evening Standard’s live coverage of Chelsea vs Wrexham.

A new era officially begins for the Blues tonight as Mauricio Pochettino takes charge for the first time in the opening contest of their pre-season tour of the USA.

The former Tottenham boss will be itching to get his Chelsea reign off to the perfect start in a high-profile clash against EFL newcomers that are enjoying an incredible run under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

The likes of Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson could make their Chelsea debuts tonight in what should be a fascinating friendly showdown.

Kick-off in Chapel Hill, North Carolina is at 1am BST, so stay tuned for all the latest match build-up, breaking team news and live match updates, with expert analysis from Standard Sport’s Chelsea correspondent Nizaar Kinsella, who is at Kenan Memorial Stadium.