Chelsea to play Wrexham in Stateside friendly

Chelsea have announced plans to square off against Wrexham in a friendly that will be staged in the United States.

The Blues have suffered a significant week in their recent history, bowing out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage at a time when it is realistically impossible to qualify for next season's competition through the Premier League.

That setback has left Todd Boehly and co with a mammoth rebuilding job, one which will involve the sales of numerous players in order to make up for the missed revenue during 2023-24.

Chelsea's American owners are hoping that a pre-season tour of their homeland will increase their popularity across the pond, and three fixtures against Premier League opposition have already been confirmed.

However, Chelsea have now revealed that they will first meet Wrexham at Kenan Stadium, a 50,000-seater venue in North Carolina, on July 19.

The National League side, who are co-owned by Hollywood stars Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, are currently bidding to earn a return to the EFL.

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Holding a four-point lead over Notts County in the standings with two matches remaining, promotion as champions will be achieved if they defeat Boreham Wood on Saturday.

Tom Glick, Chelsea FC president of business, told the club's official website: "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."

Following the meeting with the Welsh side, Chelsea will face Brighton & Hove Albion, Newcastle United and Fulham between July 22 and July 30.

Meanwhile, Wrexham recently announced a meeting with Manchester United in the United States, that clash taking place on July 26.