Chelsea return to the pitch on Friday evening with a pre-season friendly against Bayer Leverkusen at Stamford Bridge. It is in fact the Blues’ first friendly of the summer after taking part in the FIFA Club World Cup in June and July.
A summer like no other for the club with their 2024/25 campaign extended by almost two months, Chelsea are in a position where they are playing their first pre-season game nine days before their Premier League opener against Crystal Palace. Firstly talking on Bayer Leverkusen in a 7pm kick-off on Friday night, the west London club then host AC Milan in a 3pm kick-off on Sunday.
Both games should be good tests for Enzo Maresca’s squad ahead of the new season and the fixtures give fans a chance to see some new signings in action for the first time. New additions Liam Delap, Dario Essugo and Joao Pedro all featured for the team at the Club World Cup as they got their hands on the new trophy by beating Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the final.
Fellow new arrivals Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato and Estevao Willian did not play for the Blues in the United States but there debuts for the club could arrive later this evening. So who exactly will be in Maresca’s starting XI? football.london takes a look below.
