Chelsea will face familiar pre-season opponents in Enzo Maresca’s first friendly as manager of his new club.

After the dominant victory last summer, the Blues will take on Wrexham in the United States next Thursday.

It will be the first opportunity for supporters to get a look at the kind of football Maresca will be looking to bring to Stamford Bridge on a regular basis next season.

Here’s The Chelsea Chronicle’s predicted XI for the first friendly of the summer.

Robert Sanchez is in line to become the Number One at Chelsea next season, and he will be given his first chance to impress here.

Malo Gusto was the fittest player that returned to Cobham this summer, and will begin ahead of club captain Reece James.

A new signing will make his first appearance for the club in Tosin Adarabioyo. He has already been described as ‘fast’ by Pep Guardiola.

He will be partnered by Levi Colwill, who will be hoping his fiuture is at centre-back rather than left-back like it was for a lot of last season.

With Marc Cucurella only just finishing off at Euro 2024, Ben Chilwell will get the opportunity to captain the side.

Midfield
Ever reliable for Maresca, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall will be handed his first appearance for the club in the heart of midfield.

He will be partnered by youngster Andrey Santos, who is no doubt looking to make an impression and remain with the first team for next season.

With those two, Carney Chukwuemeka will probably have the most licence to join the attacking from this exciting midfield.

Attack

Maresca has been heard delivering instructions to Noni Madueke plenty of times in pre-season already, and will start the opening friendly.

The opposite flank will be taken by Raheem Sterling, who is no doubt hoping to somewhat save his Chelsea career under the new manager.

Down the middle, Christopher Nkunku will show how well he can adapt to playing the regular number nine role.

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