Chelsea Set for First Pre-Season Friendly Against Western Sydney Wanderers
This summer marks Chelsea’s return to action as they prepare to play their first pre-season friendly against Western Sydney Wanderers later this month. Following his appointment as manager at the beginning of July, Xabi Alonso has already begun orchestrating training sessions, although several players are still absent due to their participation in World Cup competitions.
The west London club has lined up a series of matches across Australia and Asia in the coming weeks. Highlights include encounters with local rivals Tottenham Hotspur and established Italian clubs Juventus and AC Milan, showcasing the breadth of Chelsea’s global outreach this pre-season.
As the Blues gear up for their pre-season fixtures, reports indicate that the club remains keen on bolstering its midfield options. According to CaughtOffside, Chelsea is in the mix to acquire young Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton during the ongoing transfer window.
Wharton made his move to Crystal Palace in 2024 from his boyhood club Blackburn Rovers, quickly establishing himself as a key player at Selhurst Park. His talents recently earned him a spot in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the upcoming European Championships set to take place in Germany.
Since joining Palace, he has racked up 96 appearances and earned four caps for the Three Lions. Despite not playing at Euro 2024 and missing out on Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man World Cup squad, Wharton’s performances last season, particularly during the Europa Conference League triumph, caught the attention of top-tier Premier League clubs.
While Tottenham Hotspur initially showed interest in securing Wharton, their pursuit appears to have waned following the signings of both Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes. Liverpool has also reportedly stepped back from the chase for the talented midfielder.
Manchester United had previously expressed interest in Wharton, but their pursuit seems hampered by Crystal Palace’s expected high price tag. Reports suggest the Eagles might seek a fee comparable to the £116 million that Manchester City is poised to pay for Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson. Chelsea, however, remains firmly in contention and is actively engaged with Wharton’s representatives as they aim to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season.
