Enzo Maresca is looking for his first victory as Chelsea head coach as his side take on Club America on Wednesday.
The Blues head coach, who was appointed into his role last month, has witnessed his new side draw with Wrexham in Santa Clara and lose to Celtic in Notre Dame. Maresca will be hoping his team can show their progress in Atlanta in their third pre-season match of the summer.
However, Club America have already played four matches in their league season, so their fitness levels are expected to be much higher than Chelsea’s. It was a similar situation at the weekend where the Blues were beaten by Celtic, who were playing their final pre-season game and the stark contrast in fitness levels was more than apparent.
Maresca made just two changes on Saturday for the game against Celtic after drawing with Wrexham a few days prior. The Italian coach could choose a similar side yet again, as Bobby Vincent explains below…
GK: Robert Sanchez
Filip Jorgensen is on his way so these could be the final few matches for Sanchez to impress. The Spanish goalkeeper managed to do just that in the first half against Celtic at the weekend and will be hoping to show similar form this time around.
RB: Reece James
It is a big pre-season for James. So far, the Chelsea captain has started both matches of the tour and is expected to make it three out of three on Wednesday as he continues to build up his fitness after a disastrous 2023/24 campaign for the right-back.
CB: Wesley Fofana
Fofana made his first start for well over a year at the weekend and Maresca may be tempted to ask him to go again. Like James, this pre-season holds added significance for Fofana because of his torrid luck with injuries in recent times.
CB: Levi Colwill
Colwill has been used as the left-back in the opening two games but after a poor performance from Benoit Badiashile in Notre Dame, may Maresca try something new?
LB: Ben Chilwell
If Colwill does start, then it opens the door for Chilwell to come in on the left-hand side of defence. The 27-year-old has not started a game this summer and did not even come on in Saturday’s defeat to Celtic.
