Chelsea vs. Bayer Leverkusen lineups, expected starting 11, confirmed team news, injuries for preseason friendly

Chelsea return to action for the first time since their FIFA Club World Cup triumph when they welcome Bayer Leverkusen to Stamford Bridge for a showpiece preseason friendly.

Enzo Maresca's side stunned European champion Paris Saint-Germain with a 3-0 victory at MetLife Stadium, where Cole Palmer dazzled with a brilliant brace and new signing Joao Pedro made it three goals in as many Blues appearances.

Leverkusen come into the match at the start of a new era under former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, following Xabi Alonso's departure to Real Madrid.

There is also a process of squad renewal to address, with Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Granit Xhaka and Jonathan Tah — all heroes of the invincible Bundesliga triumph of 2023/24 — having moved on.

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Chelsea vs. Bayer Leverkusen lineups, expected starting 11, team news, injuries

New arrivals Willian Estevao, Jamie Gittens and Jorrel Hato are all set to make their first appearances in Chelsea colours. Joao Pedro and Liam Delap will also step out at Stamford Bridge for the first time following their Club World Cup exploits.

Benoit Badiashile, Romeo Lavia, Dario Essugo and Enzo Fernandez all left the United States with injury complaints and will be assessed after three weeks off. Wesley Fofana remains sidelined with his long-term hamstring problem.

Fofana has been joined in the treatment room by Levi Colwill, who suffered an ACL injury in his first injury in his first training session back after the Club World Cup and will miss the majority of this season as a result.

Chelsea predicted lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Sanchez (GK) — James, Chalobah, Adarabioyo, Cucurella — Caicedo, Fernandez — Neto, Palmer, Gittens — Delap

Injured: Badiashile, Lavia, Essugo, Fernandez (all doubts), Fofana (hamstring)

Mark Flekken and Jarell Quansah will be familiar faces to Chelsea fans, having arrived in Leverkusen from Brentford and Liverpool respectively this summer.

Alongside Quansah, USMNT attacker Malik Tillman is Ten Hag's biggest close-season signing at €35 million. However, Tillman is out after suffering a stress injury during training.

Patrik Schick has committed his future to the club by signing a new contract until 2030 and has shared striker duties with Victor Boniface so far during preseason.

Bayer Leverkusen predicted lineup (3-4-2-1, right to left): Flekken (GK) — Hincapie, Quansah, Traore — Culbreath, Mensah, Andrich, Hawighorst — Hofmann, Garcia— Boniface

Injured: Tillman (leg/foot)

Chelsea vs. Bayer Leverkusen live stream, TV channel

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