Chelsea vs. AC Milan lineups, expected starting 11, confirmed team news, injuries for preseason friendly

Chelsea host a major European opponent for the second time in three days at Stamford Bridge, with AC Milan facing Enzo Maresca's men after their Friday clash with Bayer Leverkusen.

The Rossoneri face an even tighter turnaround, having taken on Leeds United in Dublin on Saturday. As such, expect plenty of changes and rotations from both sides.

This is the final preseason fixture for each club. Chelsea host FA Cup winners Crystal Palace in their first game of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign on August 17, while Milan take on Bari in the Coppa Italia on the same day and get going in Serie A the following Saturday (August 23) at home to Cremonese.

MORE: Chelsea decide against emergency signing after Colwill injury blow

Chelsea vs. AC Milan lineups, expected starting 11, team news, injuries

Estevao impressed and opened the scoring on his debut against Leverkusen and fellow new arrivals Jamie Gittens and Jorrel Hato are likely to get the chance to start here. The same can be said for Joao Pedro, who wrapped up a 2-0 win over Erik ten Hag's men.

Club captain Reece James was another second-half substitute against the Bundesliga side who is likely to be involved from kick-off, while Pedro Neto will be keen to impress as Chelsea's pursuit of Alejandro Garnacho promises to add even more competition in the wide attacking positions.

Cole Palmer and Trevoh Chalobah each made way at halftime in the Leverkusen match so could feasibly retain their starting places.

Defenders Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana are long-term absentees, although Benoit Badiashile and Romeo Lavia will hope to be involved after missing out on Friday with minor complaints.

Chelsea predicted lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Sanchez (GK) — James, Chalobah, Adarabioyo, Hato — Essugo, Fernandez — Neto, Palmer, Gittens — Joao Pedro

Injured: Colwill (ACL), Fofana (hamstring), Badiashile (doubt), Lavia (doubt), 

Former Real Madrid star and Croatia great Luka Modric has joined Milan as part of a midfield overhaul following Tijjani Reijnders' departure to Manchester City. Italy international Samuele Ricci and Swiss youngster Ardon Jashari have also arrived to bolster options in central areas, which also include former Chelsea player Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Returning boss Massimiliano Allegri is likely to field his preferred back three, although Malick Thiaw is unlikely to feature in that configuration as he is linked with a move to Newcastle United. Another ex-Chelsea youngster, Fikayo Tomori, is a mainstay of the Milan defence.

Behind the backline is Rossoneri goalkeeper Mike Maignan, who was heavily linked with Chelsea earlier in the summer.

Alvaro Morata's mooted move to Como means star attacker Rafael Leao is set to continue in the centre-forward role he has filled so far during preseason. USMNT stars Yunus Musah and Christian Pulisic are also key members of Allegri's squad. Pulisic provides yet another link between the two clubs.

AC Milan predicted lineup (3-4-2-1, right to left): Maignan (GK) — Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic — Saelemaekers, Ricci, Musah, Bartesaghi — Loftus-Cheek, Pulisic — Leao

Injured: None

Chelsea vs. AC Milan live stream, TV channel

Here's how to watch this preseason friendly match across selected areas of the world's major regions: