CHELSEA have announced a shock friendly against non-league side Wrexham.
The clash will take place in America during the club’s pre-season tour.
A statement on the Blues website said: “Another fixture in Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the United States of America this summer has been confirmed, with the Blues set to play Wrexham in Chapel Hill, North Carolina as part of the 2023 FC Series.
“The fixture will take place on Wednesday 19 July, prior to our three Premier League Summer Series matches, and the venue will be the University of North Carolina’s 50,000-capacity Kenan Stadium.”
Wrexham, who are within touching distance of promotion to the football league, jump to the front of Chelsea’s schedule across the pond.
Matches against Premier League rivals Brighton, Newcastle and Fulham had already been announced and will commence over the course of the following two weeks.
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On the match, Chelsea’s president of business Tom Glick said: “We are delighted to return to North Carolina as part of our US tour this summer, and play in what I’m sure will be a fantastic atmosphere at Kenan Stadium.
“Our strong US fanbase support us incredibly all year round and we are looking forward to meeting them in Chapel Hill.”
But following a disastrous season, which sees Chelsea sitting 11th in the league and closer to relegation than the top four, fans were left wondering whether it was a sign of the future.
One fan said: “We found our level.”
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A second remarked: “Future national league rivals, let’s goooo.”
A third joked: “Chelsea may have found their level.”
“Found our level tbh,” commented a fourth.
While a fifth added: “Coming soon in a few seasons under the current ownership.”
Chelsea represents the second major team Wrexham will face on their inaugural tour of the States.
Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny announced a July 26 friendly with Manchester United with the help of Sir Alex Ferguson.
The video saw Reynolds and McElhenny engage in “mind games” with Ferguson, with them being so intimidated they needed to switch off the computer.
However, the end of the clip revealed they had been on mute the entire time.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
