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Chelsea vs Wrexham LIVE: Enzo Maresca era begins with Hollywood friendly in California – kick-off time, team news and how to follow

Chelsea will get a new managerial era underway with a clash against Wrexham in America for a second successive summer.

Enzo Maresca will take charge of his first match in a friendly with the Red Dragons, a year after Mauricio Pochettino beat the Hollywood-backed League One side.

Raheem Sterling and Christopher Nkunku will both hope for better seasons
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Raheem Sterling and Christopher Nkunku will both hope for better seasonsCredit: Getty

Maresca's predecessor got off to the perfect start at Chelsea, as he oversaw a comfortable 5-0 win over Wrexham in North Carolina.

However, that proved to be a false dawn for Pochettino, who left Stamford Bridge in May after guiding the club to a sixth-place finish.

Maresca has since taken over the reins and will tread a similar path on another Chelsea tour of the US, beginning against Wrexham.

The Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds-backed Welsh team are ahead of the Blues in their pre-season preparations, having thrashed Hanley Town 5-1 before holding Bournemouth to a 1-1 draw.

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Chelsea vs Wrexham: Date and how to follow

This pre-season clash is set to take place in the early hours of Thursday, July 25.

Kick-off at the Levi's Stadium in California is set for 10:30pm local time on Wednesday, which is 3:30am Thursday 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 the official Chelsea website.

talkSPORT and talkSPORT.com will be keeping you up to date with all the latest post-match reaction.

Wrexham co-owner McElhenney was pitchside for the Bournemouth clash
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Wrexham co-owner McElhenney was pitchside for the Bournemouth clashCredit: Getty

Chelsea vs Wrexham: Team news

The Blues will be without several players due to their international exploits, including England pair Cole Palmer and Conor Gallagher.

Euro 2024 winner Marc Cucurella and Copa America champion Enzo Fernandez are both absent, with Moises Caicedo not back either.

Gabriel Slonina is at the Paris Olympics, but new signings Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Tosin Adarabioyo could both make their debuts.

Wrexham will be without star striker Paul Mullin following a back operation, with Jacob Mendy also sidelined through injury.

Enzo Fernandez has been involved in controversy
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Enzo Fernandez has been involved in controversyCredit: Getty

Chelsea vs Wrexham: Pre-season schedules

Chelsea

  • Wed, July 24: Chelsea vs Wrexham - Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara (3:30am BST)
  • Sat, July 27: Chelsea vs Celtic - Notre Dame Stadium, Indiana (9pm BST)
  • Wed, July 31: Chelsea vs Club America - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta (12:30am BST)
  • Sat, Aug 3: Chelsea vs Man City - Ohio Stadium, Columbus (10:30pm BST)
  • Tue, Aug 6: Chelsea vs Real Madrid - Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte (12am BST)
  • Sun, Aug 11: Chelsea vs Inter - Stamford Bridge (3pm BST)

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Wrexham

Sat, Jul 13: Hanley Town 1-5 Wrexham
Sat, Jul 20: Wrexham 1-1 Bournemouth
Wed, Jul 24: Chelsea vs Wrexham - Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara (3:30am BST)
Sat, Jul 27: Vancouver Whitecaps vs Wrexham - BC Place, Vancouver (12:30am BST)
Sat, Aug 3: Wrexham vs Fleetwood Town - SToK Cae Ras, Wrexham (3pm BST)

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