Mauricio Pochettino will take charge of a Chelsea side for the first time when they face National League winners Wrexham in Chapel Hill.
The Argentinian has a talented squad but those same players struggled immensely in 2022/23 under Graham Potter and Frank Lampard, slumping to 12th in the Premier League.
Here’s the team the Blues could deploy in North Carolina for their first pre-season friendly of the summer.
GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga – Chelsea did have designs on a new goalkeeper – with Mike Maignan and Andre Onana previously linked – but Kepa remains in possession of the number one jersey.
RB: Trevoh Chalobah – Reece James has been sent for a knee scan and may not be risked, so Chalobah could be shuffled out wide.
CB: Wesley Fofana – Splashed into hot water when prematurely announcing Edouard Mendy’s move to Saudi Arabia but shouldn’t face any playing time punishments.
CB: Levi Colwill – Wants appearances in pre-season as speculation over his future at Stamford Bridge persists.
LB: Ben Chilwell – A full season of pre-season under full back whisperer Pochettino could be what the England international needs to enjoy a positive 2023/24 season.
CM: Conor Gallagher – One of the players who came out of the 2022/23 with some credit for some gut-busting displays and his eye for goal.
CM: Enzo Fernandez – Argentina international Fernandez made 22 appearances for Chelsea after joining from Benfica. Will start the new term looking for his first goal.
CM: Carney Chukwuemeka – Chelsea’s lack of depth in central midfield has been exposed by the departures of Jorginho, Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante and Ruben Loftus-Cheek so Chukwuemeka could get a look.
RW: Raheem Sterling – Probably kicking himself for leaving Manchester City a season too soon but must look ahead for a better second campaign with the Blues.
ST: Nicolas Jackson – 22-year-old Jackson is the latest player to be entrusted in Chelsea’s striker role and will hope to fare better than previous incumbents like Kai Havertz and Alvaro Morata.
LW: Christopher Nkunku – France international Nkunku will be one of Chelsea’s leading attacking threats next season and Blues fans are excited by his arrival.
