Chelsea vs Borussia Dortmund LIVE! Friendly match stream, latest team news, lineups, TV, prediction today
Chelsea finish their pre-season campaign with a friendly against Borussia Dortmund in Chicago tonight. Mauricio Pochettino has already lifted his first trophy as Blues boss after his side triumphed in the inaugural Premier League Summer Series, raising hope that a big bounce-back season is to come at Stamford Bridge.
Clearly, Pochettino will be keen for supporters not to get too carried away at this early stage. There is little doubt that his side remain a work in progress, particularly with their top transfer target in Moises Caicedo yet to be signed. Still, the likes of new signings Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku have looked impressive in pre-season after their summer moves.
Dortmund are likely to provide a stern test for Chelsea tonight. They may have lost Jude Bellingham to Real Madrid but managed to overcome Manchester United earlier this week, proving there is life after the England international. Follow Chelsea vs Borussia Dortmund live below, with expert analysis from Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella at Soldier Field!
Live updates
Nizaar Kinsella at Soldier Field
Ed Sheeran did a concert at Soldier Field over the weekend with the audience allowed on the pitch. It shows as it looks in poor condition for Chelsea versus Dortmund. The players are taking a good look at what they are about to run out on as staff water the grass with a hose rather than a sprinkler system.
Crystal Palace admit Michael Olise fear as clubs circle around Chelsea and Man City target
Roy Hodgson admits that Crystal Palace face a “fight” to keep Michael Olise at the club this summer.
The Frenchman has been linked with moves to Chelsea and Manchester City, while Paris Saint-Germain have considered a move after the departure of Lionel Messi.
Arsenal have previously held an interest in the 21-year-old, who moved to Palace from Reading in the summer of 2021.
Read the full story here!
Chelsea target Robert Sanchez transfer to provide Kepa Arrizabalaga competition
Chelsea have made Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez their primary target to compete with Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The 25-year-old is being lined up this summer as someone capable of either becoming Mauricio Pochettino’s new No1 or else pushing current first-choice Kepa to improve his performance level.
Sanchez has the recommendation of Ben Roberts, who was Chelsea’s goalkeeper coach under former boss Graham Potter last season but is now in a wider management role in goalkeeping at Stamford Bridge.
Read the full story here!
Chelsea find new midfield pair as Thiago Silva sends transfer message in Fulham win
Mauricio Pochettino experimented with Christopher Nkunku in a different role and bloodied a new midfield partnership as Chelsea won the Premier League Summer Series.
The Blues have been excellent throughout pre-season under their new manager, and secured silverware on Sunday with a 2-0 win over Fulham in Washington DC.
Nkunku and Thiago Silva’s first-half goals beat Marco Silva’s side, who were poor across the full 90 minutes in the United States capital.
Read Nizaar Kinsella’s full analysis here!
Mauricio Pochettino to assess new Chelsea signing Lesley Ugochukwu before loan decision
Chelsea have completed the signing of Lesley Ugochukwu from Rennes for £23.2million.
The promising French midfielder, 19, has put pen to paper on a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge that includes the option for a further 12 months beyond that, joining up with Mauricio Pochettino’s squad on their pre-season tour of the USA, which concludes with a final friendly against Borussia Dortmund in Chicago on Wednesday night.
“We’re delighted Lesley is joining Chelsea. He is an impressive young player who has already made his mark in Ligue 1,” said Chelsea’s co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley.
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Trevoh Chalobah ready to leave Chelsea after definitive snub with price tag set
Trevoh Chalobah is ready to leave Chelsea after the club agreed a £38.6million deal to sign Monaco defender Axel Disasi, writes Nizaar Kinsella.
Chalobah has played a key role under Mauricio Pochettino so far in pre-season but believes his opportunities will be limited next season.
Thiago Silva, Levi Colwill and Benoit Badiashile are already ahead of him and he wants to play more regular football as he targets a place in the England squad ahead of Euro 2024 next summer.
Chelsea have set an asking price of £45million for Chalobah.
Read the full story here!
Chelsea offered Dusan Vlahovic as Robert Sanchez transfer talks begin
Chelsea have been offered Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic in exchange for Romelu Lukaku and a transfer fee, writes Nizaar Kinsella.
The Blues has spent around £85million on both Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku already this summer, with the pair performing well in pre-season, but Mauricio Pochettino did not rule out a third attacking addition when asked on Sunday.
Lukaku does not have a future at Stamford Bridge and favours a move to Juve, who are ready to sign the Belgian but Chelsea are hesitant over a deal which also requires them to pay a significant fee.
Read the full story here!
Chelsea target Moises Caicedo ‘tells fans he wants transfer’ at Brighton awards night
Chelsea target Moises Caicedo has reportedly told Brighton fans of his desire to leave the club this summer, on a night where he won two Player of the Season awards.
Caicedo is Chelsea’s priority transfer target this summer, but extracting him from the Seagulls’ clutches has proved more difficult than expected with three bids so far rejected and the third totaling £80million.
Brighton have no desire to sell one of their most valuable assets, who is still only 21 years old and has four years remaining on his contract. The club values Caicedo at £100m.
But Caicedo, who has made no secret in recent weeks of his admiration for Chelsea, reportedly told guests at Tuesday night’s awards ceremony that he wishes to leave the club, though did not name the Blues.
Levi Colwill reveals Mauricio Pochettino assurances after signing new Chelsea contract
Levi Colwill is definitely staying at Chelsea, having officially now signed a new long-term contract at the club.
The centre-back, 20, has put pen to paper on a fresh and improved six-year deal in west London that runs until the summer of 2029 and includes the option for a further 12 months beyond that.
Wednesday’s announcement definitively ends any remaining uncertainty over Colwill’s Chelsea future, with Brighton having pursued a permanent deal for the defender this summer after he shone during a season-long loan at the Amex Stadium last season.
Read the full story here!
Nizaar Kinsella at Soldier Field
It’s a beautiful day in Chicago as Chelsea face Dortmund at Soldier Field. This is Mauricio Pochettino’s last official pre-season game before he faces Liverpool at Stamford Bridge to begin the Premier League in 10 days. Will we see a stronger XI or one resembling the one that might play on August 13? Quite possibly.
