Chelsea lineup vs. Wrexham: Predicted XI for pre-season friendly

Enzo Maresca's first pre-season period as Chelsea boss has suffered severe disruption owing to Enzo Fernandez, who came under fire for signing an offensive chant about French people after Argentina's Copa America success.

Fernandez has issued a grovelling apology amid reports that he has been unfollowed on social media by some of his Blues teammates, but regardless of the incident, he will not be involved in Wednesday's friendly game against Wrexham at Levi's Stadium.

The same goes for Cole Palmer, Conor Gallagher, Moises Caicedo, Euro 2024 winner Marc Cucurella and USA Olympian Gabriel Slonina, while Djordje Petrovic, Omari Kellyman, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Trevoh Chalobah and Romelu Lukaku are also absent for one reason or another.

Maresca will presumably need to take extra care over Robert Sanchez and Nicolas Jackson, who have been recuperating from injuries over the summer, but the former is still likely to start in goal.

As Chalobah has been omitted due to Chelsea supposedly hoping to cash in on him, Tosin Adarabioyo could make his debut in defence alongside Levi Colwill, Reece James and Axel Disasi.

Newly-acquired midfielders Renato Veiga and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are another two who might earn their baptisms on Wednesday, just behind Christopher Nkunku in the number 10 slot.

Ex-Barcelona attacker Marc Guiu could complete the wave of debutants at Levi's Stadium, flanked by Noni Madueke and Raheem Sterling, who has a point to prove after his Euro 2024 snub.

Chelsea possible starting lineup: Sanchez; James, Disasi, Adarabioyo, Colwill; Dewsbury-Hall, Veiga; Madueke, Nkunku, Sterling; Guiu