Chelsea vs Wrexham. Prediction and Preview. Probable Lineups, Team News, Stats, and more
Chelsea FC will face Wrexham AFC in the Club Friendly match at the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, USA. The fixture will take place on Thursday, July 25, beginning at 08:00 IST.
Parimatch News will tell you everything you need to know ahead of the upcoming match.
Chelsea News & Current Form:
Chelsea ended last season on a high note, winning five consecutive matches and securing sixth place in the Premier League, earning them a spot in the UEFA Europe Conference League. However, more than this achievement was needed to save the job of Mauricio Pochettino. In early June, he was replaced by Enzo Maresca, a former assistant to Pep Guardiola and ex-Sevilla FC player. This will be the coach’s first game with the club, offering him a chance to prove why he was chosen for this role. It’s worth noting that under the Italian, Leicester City FC returned to the top division after a year in the Championship.
Maresca began his new chapter at the London club with ambitious statements and a clear vision for the team. In his first interview, he expressed his desire for the team to be aggressive both on and off the ball. These principles, rooted in his football philosophy, were evident last season when he coached the Foxes. Under Maresca’s leadership, the Championship collective demonstrated tactical flexibility, employing a 4-3-3 formation that transformed into a 3-2-5 in attack. The team confidently controlled games, quickly regained possession after losses, and wore down opponents by stretching them wide and forcing play through the centre. This approach helped Leicester win the championship despite stiff competition.
These successes highlight Maresca’s tactical acumen and coaching abilities, and he now aims to implement these proven methods at Chelsea. His commitment to aggressive and dynamic play promises to rejuvenate the London club and strengthen its position in the upcoming seasons.
The London team, as always, has been active in the transfer market, spending a substantial €88 million. The Blues have bolstered the squad with several talented players who promise to enhance the team in the coming seasons.
The first significant acquisition was left-back Caleb Wiley from MLS club Atlanta United. The 19-year-old American signed a six-year contract with an option for a one-year extension. Wiley came through Atlanta’s youth system, debuted for the senior team in 2022, and made a name for himself with 36 matches and four goals in the 2023 season. He is now preparing to participate in the Paris 2024 Olympics with the USA U-23 team.
The Aristocrats also signed 20-year-old Portuguese midfielder Renato Veiga from Swiss club FC Basel 1893. Veiga’s contract is for seven years with an option for another year, and the transfer fee was around €14 million. He had an impressive season at his previous club, playing 25 matches, scoring two goals, and providing one assist.
Barcelona prodigy Marc Guiu is set to help Chelsea regain its former glory
Another significant signing was young forward Marc Guiu from FC Barcelona. The 18-year-old signed a five-year contract with an option for an additional season. Last season, he played six matches for the Spanish team, scoring one goal in the UEFA Champions League and three in La Liga. The transfer fee was reported to be around €6-8 million.
Additionally, central midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall joined from Leicester. His contract is for five years with an option for a one-year extension. The transfer fee was £30 million. He played a crucial role in the Foxes’ return to the Premier League, scoring 12 goals and providing 14 assists in 44 Championship matches last season.
Finally, Chelsea added attacking midfielder Omari Kellyman from Aston Villa FC to the squad. The 18-year-old signed a six-year contract with an option for an additional season. The transfer fee was £19 million. Last season, Kellyman debuted in the Premier League, playing two matches, and featured in two Conference League games. These signings demonstrate the Blues’ ambitions for the upcoming seasons and their desire to strengthen their position on all fronts.
Chelsea will be without several key players due to their participation in international tournaments. Among the absentees are England’s Cole Palmer and Conor Gallagher, UEFA EURO 2024 winner Marc Cucurella, and Copa America champion Enzo Fernandez.
Wrexham News & Current Form:
In February 2021, actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney became the owners of Wrexham, one of the oldest football clubs in the world, founded in 1864. They acquired the club for £2 million, and since then, the club has achieved impressive success and significantly increased its value to £9 million.
Since the acquisition, the Red Dragons have reached numerous milestones. The team has advanced to the English Football League (EFL), starred in an Emmy-winning documentary, participated in the Emirates FA Cup, secured major sponsorship deals, and conducted a successful tour in the USA.
Shaun Harvey, a board member and former CEO of Leeds United FC and Bradford City AFC, played a key role in the project. He recommended the club to the actor-investors and brought in manager Phil Parkinson. Thanks to financial investments, Wrexham have been able to offer players the highest salaries in League Two, leading to on-field success.
Hollywood stars and Wrexham AFC owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney
The club has also significantly improved their financial performance. In the 2022/23 season, total turnover increased from £5.9 million to £10.4 million. Merchandise sales sponsorship and advertising revenue also saw substantial growth. It is expected that new contracts with American sponsors will boost the annual turnover to £20 million. The documentary series “Welcome to Wrexham,” launched in 2022, became a hit on streaming platforms in the USA. This project has greatly enhanced the club and the city’s international recognition.
The owners’ plans include modernising the Racecourse Ground and increasing its capacity to 55,000 seats. This will not only improve conditions for fans but also potentially allow Wrexham to host matches of the Welsh national team.
The ambitious owners’ ultimate dream remains unchanged: to reach the English Premier League. However, reaching the top division will be incredibly challenging due to fierce competition even at the Championship level. The arms race required to compete for the EPL’s vast riches demands significant funds, causing many contenders to incur substantial losses. For instance, Hull City lost £21 million, finishing only 15th out of 24 clubs in the division, while Queens Park Rangers FC (£20.3 million), West Bromwich Albion FC (£11 million), and Millwall FC (£13.7 million) showed significant deficits despite finishing outside the playoff zone.
A couple of years ago, financial experts Deloitte estimated the combined losses of Championship clubs at £361 million (an average of £15 million per club). Reynolds and McElhenney are not as wealthy as the American or Arab billionaires behind many clubs, making it incredibly difficult to outcompete their rivals. However, it’s possible that to compete for Premier League promotion, the Hollywood stars might seek an external investor: the popularity they have brought to Wrexham provides excellent opportunities for this.
The team have already played two friendly matches, achieving a resounding 5:1 victory over Hanley Town FC and drawing 2:2 with AFC Bournemouth. They are also set to play Chelsea, followed by a match against Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BC Place. The Dragons will be without their star striker Paul Mullin in the upcoming game due to back surgery, and Jacob Mendy is also sidelined with an injury.
Chelsea form guide: D-W-W-W-W-W
Wrexham form guide: W-W-W-W-W-D
Chelsea vs Wrexham Head-To-Head Record:
| Chelsea | Draw | Wrexham |
| 5 | 3 | 2 |
- January 26, 1982: Wrexham 1 – 1 Chelsea (FA Cup);
- February 1, 1982: Wrexham 1 – 2 Chelsea (FA Cup);
- February 27, 1982: Wrexham 1 – 0 Chelsea (League Division Two);
- July 20, 2023: Chelsea 5 – 0 Wrexham (FLO Cup).
Chelsea vs Wrexham Predicted XI:
Chelsea’s possible starting lineup (4-3-3): Kepa; James, Disasi, Adarabioyo, Colwill; Dewsbury-Hall, Veiga; Madueke, Nkunku, Sterling; Guiu.
Wrexham’s possible starting lineup (5-3-2): Okonkwo; Brunt, O’Connell, Cleworth; Bolton, Jones, Evans, Cannon, McClean; Dalby, Marriott.
Statistical preview of the match Chelsea vs Wrexham:
- The total value of the Blues’ squad is 1.09 bln euros, while the total of the opponent comes up to just 9.33 mln euros.
- Chelsea’s First XI average age is 25.6 years, and Wrexham’s First XI average age is 27.3 years.
- Chelsea are unbeaten for six games, having won their last five. While Wrexham are unbeaten for seven games, having won six.
What has been said before the match:
Manager Phil Parkinson on Wrexham’s American tour:
“The key factors are that we’re arriving two weeks before the season starts, which allows us to overcome any jet lag. Additionally, since we’ll be based on the West Coast for the entire trip, travel will be minimal.”
“Everyone is really looking forward to it. Last year’s experience was amazing and incredible, and we’re excited to have another opportunity to go out there.”
Chelsea vs Wrexham Prediction:
The game serves as an exhibition match offering a great opportunity for managers to see exactly what needs improvement ahead of the upcoming 24/25 campaign. Chelsea are once again undergoing a rebuild, now trying to figure out how to replace some vital departed players who were leaders last season. Still, even without them, Enzo Maresca has an expensive and strong squad that should certainly be able to cope with the lower leagues’ mid-table sides. Wrexham recently clinched a draw with a tough Bournemouth side. However, the Cherries’ squad was much more basic than the one the Blues can field. Without their top scorer, the Welsh attack will not be as dangerous as possible, and Chelsea’s defence is one of the lines where the Blues have the fewest losses at the moment. However, the defensive performance is not always reliable, and Wrexham will have chances to score. Still, the new coach of the Red Dragons has yet to find a way to improve the defensive performance of his charges, which is much worse than the Blues. We can expect open football, where both teams will be not too cautious. Wrexham can create problems for the favourite, but they are all quite solvable. If Chelsea’s squad is anywhere close to optimal, a victory will not get away from them.
Parimatch News staff prediction:
We say: Chelsea will not lose and the match total will be more than 1.5 goals – Yes.
Don`t miss out 👉: Top 5 Records that could be broken or scripted at 2024 Paris Olympics ft. Neeraj, Durant, and more