As the highly anticipated ‘£20m match’ between Wrexham and Chelsea draws near, the Welsh football club finds itself in a state of euphoria following their successful promotion-winning season. Last season, the Red Dragons clinched the National League title, earning them a well-deserved promotion to League Two.
The driving forces behind Wrexham’s recent success are none other than Hollywood stars Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, who assumed co-ownership of the club. In a show of appreciation for the players and coaching staff, the charismatic duo treated them to an unforgettable all-expenses-paid trip to Las Vegas. The gesture not only served as a reward for their hard work but also solidified the bond between the owners and the team.
Despite the excitement surrounding the Las Vegas trip, the focus of the team now shifts to more serious matters as they embark on their pre-season tour in the United States. The tour represents a significant opportunity for Wrexham to showcase their talent on an international stage and test their mettle against top-tier opponents.
The tour kicks off with a mouth-watering clash against Premier League giants Chelsea, which will take place at the impressive 51,000-capacity Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The stadium, typically home to the North Carolina Tar Heels American football team, will be transformed into a battleground for this exciting encounter.
The enthusiasm of football fans is palpable, as tickets for the ‘£20m match’ sold out within days, indicating the magnitude of the event. Chapel Hill’s entire stock of 1,200 hotel bedrooms was snatched up in a matter of hours, further demonstrating the massive interest generated by the fixture. In an extraordinary display of support, fans from all 50 U.S. states have secured tickets to witness the historic clash, with international supporters also making the journey to join in the spectacle.
According to experts in the tourism industry, the impact of this fixture on the local economy could reach a staggering £20 million, underlining the significance of such an event for the region. Laurie Paolicelli, the executive director of Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau, spoke of the economic boost the game is expected to bring, expressing the hope that this would be the first of many such events in the area.
Before the big game, the Wrexham players have demonstrated their caring side by visiting the UNC Children’s Hospital, spreading joy among the young patients and capturing heartfelt moments through shared photographs on social media. This gesture reflects the team’s commitment to their community and showcases the positive influence of football beyond the pitch.
Wrexham predictions:
As the day of the ‘£20m match’ approaches, football enthusiasts eagerly anticipate how Wrexham will line up against Chelsea’s formidable squad. The sold-out Kenan Stadium in New York City will be filled with a vibrant atmosphere as the small Welsh club steps onto familiar territory, thanks to the ownership of Hollywood A-listers Reynolds and McElhenney.
With the full squad at his disposal for the opening game of the tour, manager Phil Parkinson is expected to field a full-strength side to face the mighty Chelsea. Key players like Ben Foster in goal and a solid defensive trio of Will Boyle, Ben Tozer, and Eoghan O’Connell are poised to challenge Chelsea’s attacking prowess. The midfield will see the presence of the experienced Andy Cannon and the influential captain, Luke Young, while the wings-cum-full-backs, Jacob Mendy and Ryan Barnett, will provide the necessary width.
Upfront, the trio of Elliott Lee, Paul Mullin, and Sam Dalby forms a diamond that promises to trouble Chelsea’s defense. The team’s supporters eagerly await this formidable lineup that Parkinson has carefully crafted, hoping it will deliver a memorable performance against the Premier League giants.
Beyond the Chelsea game, Wrexham’s pre-season tour includes encounters with other renowned American clubs like LA Galaxy and Philadelphia Union. However, the most highly anticipated match comes against the iconic Manchester United in Los Angeles, setting the stage for a thrilling clash of football titans.
As the Wrexham players take to the pitch for their US tour, they carry the dreams and aspirations of their fans and the Welsh community with them. The journey is more than a pre-season tour; it is a testament to the power of football to unite people from diverse backgrounds, bridge cultural gaps, and create lasting memories for players and fans alike. With Hollywood stars by their side and a passionate fanbase behind them, Wrexham’s journey towards greater heights has only just begun. The ‘£20m match’ is a celebration of football, camaraderie, and dreams turning into reality, and it promises to be an unforgettable spectacle for all involved.
Predicted XI: Foster; Boyle, Tozer, O’Connell; Barnett, Young, Lee, Cannon, Mendy; Mullin, Dalby
Chelsea predictions:
Mauricio Pochettino faces a defensive crisis ahead of the pre-season friendly between Chelsea and Wrexham due to several players’ unavailability. Wesley Fofana suffered an injury blow, resulting in the need for surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament. Additionally, Reece James is unable to participate due to illness, while Benoit Badiashile, Armando Broja, and Marcus Bettinelli are still recovering from their injuries in London. Furthermore, key players Romelu Lukaku, Hakim Ziyech, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are absent as they are pursuing transfers away from the club and have remained at Cobham.
With a youthful 29-man squad at his disposal, Pochettino faces the challenge of selecting his first Chelsea lineup. The squad includes new signings Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson, as well as promising young talents like Levi Colwill. To cope with the situation, he might consider fielding two separate XIs at the Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, making it the new manager’s and his team’s first match of the summer.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Kepa; Gusto, Thiago Silva, Colwill, Chilwell; Andrey Santos, Enzo, Gallagher; Nkunku, Jackson, Sterling.
How to watch Wrexham v Chelsea:
The game, which kicks off Thursday morning at 1am BST, will be shown live on S4C Clic and Sgorio’s YouTube and Facebook channels.
It’s the first of four fixtures that the Red Dragons will face in the US, with further games against LA Galaxy II, Manchester United and Philadelphia Union II.
Highlights will be available later on Thursday evening at 21:00 on S4C.
Tour Dates:
- July 19 – Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill, NC – Wrexham vs Chelsea
- July 22 – Dignity Health Sports Park, Los Angeles, CA – Wrexham vs LA Galaxy II
- July 25 – Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, CA – Wrexham vs Manchester United
- July 28 – Subaru Park, Philadelphia, PA – Wrexham vs Philadelphia Union II
