Chelsea could hand debuts to new signings Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly when they take on MLS side Charlotte this week.
The Blues have headed across the United States for the second leg of their pre-season tour following a 2-1 win over Club America in Las Vegas.
Sterling sat out that victory after linking up with his new team-mates late while Koulibaly’s move only went through the day before the game.
Yet the two now have the chance to earn their first unofficial minutes for Chelsea ahead of a showdown with Arsenal in Florida this weekend.
Chelsea v Charlotte: Date and start time
This pre-season friendly will take place on Thursday, July 21.
The match is being held at the 75,000-capacity Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
It will kick-off at 12:30am UK time.
Chelsea v Charlotte: TV channel and live stream
This pre-season tie will be broadcast live on Chelsea’s website and their app – ‘The 5th Stand’.
talkSPORT will have regular updates from the USA throughout the day while talkSPORT.com will also have reaction to the tie too.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
Chelsea v Charlotte: Team news
N’Golo Kante and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are both unavailable having not travelled to the United States due to their Covid vaccination status.
Elsewhere, Armando Broja will also not be involved having flown back to England amid speculation linking him with a move to West Ham.
Conor Gallagher and Michy Batshuayi are among the players who were on loan last season but could be in line for further minutes here.
And of course, new signings Sterling and Koulibaly will hope to make the squad in order to play their first minutes for Chelsea.
Chelsea v Charlotte: What has been said?
“Consistency in football is a very big word; we play every three days and we have to always keep the level high,” Kai Havertz said.
“It’s also the case for me to be consistent in every match and to score as many goals as I can. Sometimes, it’s normal that for one game you drop the level. It’s not always possible to score five goals in every game. Consistency for me is a big point and I try to work on that.”
“You always feel the responsibility when you play,” Havertz added.
“We all wish Rom the best and hopefully, it is going to be a good step for him. But of course, I want to play. It was also the case last year.
“If you are playing and on the pitch, you always have to take the responsibility. I will definitely try to play as much as I can this season.
“Hopefully, it is going to be a better year than last year.”
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