Jose Mourinho will have a big squad from which to choose a starting eleven for this, the first of our pre-season friendlies, and intends to start two different line-ups as far as is possible either side of half-time.
However several players are not available for selection. The match is too soon for Hernan Crespo and Claude Makelele, who only begun training this week, while Ricardo Carvalho won’t be risked after undergoing a shoulder operation during the summer.
Wayne Bridge hasn’t fully recovered from a double ankle break inflicted on him by Newcastle’s Alan Shearer in last season’s FA Cup and will sit out.
Both John Terry and Frank Lampard underwent foot operations at the end of last season but have recovered and are likely to play some part.
A number of the younger members of the squad will get a run out, including defenders Nuno Morais and Steven Watt, and midfielder Anthony Grant, who all made their senior debuts last season.
New signing Jonas Elmer, the 17-year-old left-back signed from Grasshoppers of Zurich during the summer, and striker Phil Younghusband will also play at some point.
The game is live on Chelsea TV and Big Blue Radio. Kick-off is 19:45.
Next up is a trip to Portuguese champions Benfica on Sunday, followed by the “World Series of Football”? in the USA which will involve playing AC Milan twice and DC United, champions of Major League Soccer, once.
Wycombe Wanderers 1 – 5 Chelsea · Match Reports etc.
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