Mauricio Pochettino begins life as Chelsea manager against Wrexham tonight as the Blues kick-off their pre-season tour and a brand new era in the United States. The former Tottenham boss is overseeing a huge rebuild of the club following such a disappointing season last time out and is set to hand big summer signings Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku their debuts out in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Chelsea have sold plenty of players this summer, leaving Pochettino with a much smaller squad to work with and it will be fascinating to see just how much of his impact will be on show so early in a 2023 FC Series clash. Wrexham, of course, are a big story across the pond after their fairytale run under Hollywood owners in Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney as they prepare for life back in the EFL.
Pochettino has already spoken of the need to hit the ground running, such is the demand for success at a club like Chelsea. Though there will be tougher tests to come, getting off to a good start feels of the utmost importance. Follow Chelsea vs Wrexham live below, with expert analysis from Nizaar Kinsella at Kenan Memorial Stadium!
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Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham
Nizaar Kinsella at Kenan Memorial Stadium
Chelsea have been much less threatening in the second half. Wrexham are taking way more of the ball.
Nkunku is Chelsea’s most exciting recent signing by some distance but hasn’t really touched the ball yet.
Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham
68 mins: Casadei has been far more eager to get forward in this second half, bursting through from midfield at will.
This time he’s just foiled by Lainton after a searching pass from Gallagher.
Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham
64 mins: Pochettino now sends for Lewis Hall, who replaces the impressive Andrey Santos.
A sight of goal for Chelsea, but Sterling lashes wide after being teed up by Nkunku.
Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham
61 mins: Six more changes now after the hour mark from Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson.
Ollie Palmer, Billy Waters, Luke Young, Max Cleworth, Jordan Davies and Liam McAlinden are all on.
Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham
59 mins: The first yellow card of the evening goes to Casadei, who overruns and loses the ball before frustratedly hacking down Tom O’Connor, who has moved forward into midfield after the break.
Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham
56 mins: Chelsea are dominating possession now as they go in search of a third goal that would surely kill this contest.
A couple of nice touches for Nkunku, but no chances to speak of just yet for the £53m Frenchman.
It’s patient and probing from the Blues, but not particularly threatening.
Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham
The new Chelsea boss surveys the scene in his first match in charge…
Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham
50 mins: A lively start to the second half as the excellent Andrey Santos almost releases midfield partner Casadei inside the box, but Wrexham ‘keeper Lainton – a half-time replacement for Ben Foster – comes out to snuff out the danger.
Mullin also with a poor effort for the Welsh side, along with a driven attempt well over from James Jones following a corner.
Neither Rob Reynolds nor Rob McElhenney are in attendance tonight, by the way.
Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham
Five changes from Wrexham at the interval, with Rob Lainton, Ryan Barnett, Will Boyle, Callum McFadzean and Aaron Hayden all on.
Conor Gallagher and Ben Chilwell are also on for Chelsea, as is new signing Angelo Gabriel and fellow youngster Alfie Gilchrist.
Goalscorer Maatsen among those to go off – there will be no hat-trick for the Dutchman tonight.
Here’s their XI for the second half:
Cumming, Chalobah, Gilchrist, Humphreys, Chilwell, Santos, Casadei, Gallagher, Angelo, Sterling, Nkunku
Chelsea 2-0 Wrexham
A number of changes are coming from Chelsea at half-time, as expected.
They include Christopher Nkunku and Raheem Sterling.
