Chelsea vs Wrexham LIVE: Enzo Maresca era begins with friendly at Hollywood in California – kick-off time, team news and how to watch
Chelsea will begin a new era as manager when they face Wrexham in the United States for the second summer in a row this week.
Enzo Maresca He will take charge of his first match in a friendly with the Red Dragons, a year after Mauricio Pochettino beat the Hollywood-backed player League One team.
Maresca's predecessor had a perfect start at Chelsea as he managed a comfortable team 5-0 victory on Wrexham in North Carolina.
However, that turned out to be a false dawn for Pochettino, who left Stamford Bridge in May after guiding the club to a sixth-place finish.
Since then, Maresca has taken the reins and will follow a similar path in another Chelsea tour of the USA, starting against Wrexham.
He Rob McElhenney and the Ryan Reynolds-backed Welsh side are ahead of the Blues in their pre-season preparations, having thrashed Hanley Town 5-1 before drawing. Bournemouth to a 1-1 draw.
Chelsea vs Wrexham: Date and how to watch
This pre-season clash will take place on Thursday, July 25.
Kick-off at Levi's Stadium in California is scheduled for 10:30pm local time, which is 3:30am on Friday for UK fans.
The game will be broadcast on ESPN for local audiences, with UK fans able to watch via The 5th Stand app and Chelsea’s official website.
talkSPORT and talkSPORT.com will keep you up to date with all the latest post-match reaction.
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Chelsea vs Wrexham: team news
The Blues will be without several players due to their international exploits, including the England pair. Cole Palmer and Conor Gallagher.
Euro 2024 winner Marc Cucurella and America Cup Champion Enzo Fernández is absent, as is Moisés Caicedo, who is also unavailable.
Gabriel Slonina is in Paris Olympic Gamesbut new signings Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Tosin Adarabioyo could make their debut.
Wrexham will be without their star striker Pablo Mullin after back surgery, with Jacob Mendy also out of action due to injury.
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Chelsea vs Wrexham: Pre-season schedule
Chelsea
- Wednesday 24 July: Chelsea vs Wrexham – Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara (3:30am BST)
- Saturday 27 July: Chelsea vs Celtic – Notre Dame Stadium, Indiana (21:00 BST)
- Wednesday 31 July: Chelsea vs Club América – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta (12:30am BST)
- Saturday 3 August: Chelsea vs Manchester City – Ohio Stadium, Columbus (10:30pm BST)
- Tuesday 6 August: Chelsea vs Real Madrid – Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte (12:00 BST)
- Sunday 11 August: Chelsea vs Inter – Stamford Bridge (3pm UK time)
Wrexham
Saturday 13th July: Hanley Town 1-5 Wrexham
Saturday July 20: Wrexham 1-1 Bournemouth
Wednesday 24 July: Chelsea vs Wrexham – Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara (3:30am BST)
Saturday, July 27: Vancouver White Ridges vs Wrexham – BC Place, Vancouver (12:30am BST)
Saturday August 3: Wrexham vs. City of Fleetwood – SToK Cae Ras, Wrexham (3pm BST)
