Chelsea and Wrexham stars clash in bust-up just minutes into pre-season draw as Colwill rages at ex-Premier League star

5 months ago 60

CHELSEA’S friendly with Wrexham descended into chaos after just TWO MINUTES as Levi Colwill was embroiled in a bust-up with James McLean.

Enzo Maresca took charge of his first game as Blues boss since replacing Mauricio Pochettino as his side played out a 2-2 draw in California.

Levi Colwill grabbed James McLean by the shirt two minutes into the friendly clash[/caption]

Chelsea vs Wrexham fight after two minutes match start levi colwill. pic.twitter.com/kig5X8R1t7

— FOOTBALL CONTEXT (@SarojKarki65) July 25, 2024

The off-the-ball incident seemingly came out of nowhere[/caption]

The referee, players and coaches came over to diffuse the situation[/caption]

It was a fiery start to the 2-2 draw in California[/caption]

It is the beginning of a pre-season tour that will also see them face Celtic, Club America, Real Madrid and Manchester City.

But things got off to an explosive start when Chelsea defender Colwill, 21, came to blows with ex-Sunderland and Stoke man McLean, 35.

The off-the-ball incident seemingly came out of nowhere with Maresca’s men in possession during the opening stages of the match.

The cameras then cut to Colwill and McLean furiously going at each other as the Chelsea man grabbed his opponent by the shirt and thrust it into his face.

McLean refused to back down as he wrestled with the ex-Brighton man, before the referee, team-mates, and coaching staff intervened to break up the incident.

Both players avoided a booking – presumably due to the fact it was a friendly game – but Colwill was replaced by Maresca at half-time as one of 10 changes.

McLean was also substituted with six minutes remaining, shortly after Chelsea had equalised.

Christopher Nkunku gave the two-time European champions a first-half lead, finishing smartly from 10 yards after pinball in the Wrexham box.

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Chelsea's US tour party

Goalkeepers: Robert Sanchez, Marcus Bettinelli, Eddie Beach, Lucas Bergstrom.

Defenders: Reece James, Malo Gusto, Josh Acheampong, Wesley Fofana, Axel Disasi, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill, Ben Chilwell, Renato Veiga, Carney Chukwuemeka, Romeo Lavia.

Midfielders: Lesley Ugochukwu, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Andrey Santos.

Forwards: Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku, Raheem Sterling, Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, Armando Broja, Tyrique George, Marc Guiu, Angelo.

Rested: Marc Cucurella, Enzo Fernandez, Conor Gallagher, Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer.

Reported injured: Petrovic

Left out: Trevoh Chalobah, Alfie Gilchrist, Malang Sarr, Cesare Casadei, Leo Castledine, Deivid Washington, Diego Moreira, Omari Kellyman, Caleb Wiley, Tino Anjorin, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Mason Burstow, David Datro Fofana, Bashir Humphreys, Romelu Lukaku, Alex Matos, Gabriel Slonina, Harvey Vale, Dujuan Richards, Kiano Dyer, Billy Gee, Harrison Murray-Campbell, Ishe Samuels-Smith, Zak Sturge, Jimi Tauriainen, Travis Akomeah, Ato Ampah, Somto Boniface, Luke Campbell, Brodi Hughes, Harrison McMahon, Donnell McNeilly, Leo Cardoso, Max Merrick, Jimmy-Jay Morgan, Richard Olise, Samuel Rak-Sakyi, Frankie Runham, Reiss-Alexander Russell-Denny, Zain Silcott-Duberry, Ronnie Stutter, Shaun Wade, Kaiden Wilson.

Luke Bolton levelled things up shortly before the hour mark, tucking home from a low Sebastian Revan cross.

And the League One side took the lead in the 71st minute, Jack Marriott whipping a smart left-footed strike into the far corner.

But Lesley Ugochukuwu ensured Maresca’s opening match in charge did not end in defeat with a cool low finish inside the box with eight of the 90 remaining.

Following their pre-season tour of the US, Chelsea kick off their Premier League campaign against champions Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on August 18.