Chelsea had to fight hard to secure a draw against League One side Wrexham in their pre-season match held at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The game was a dramatic start to their five-match US tour, which marks the beginning of Enzo Maresca’s tenure as Chelsea’s head coach.
The match kicked off with a fiery moment just three minutes in.
Levi Colwill and James McClean found themselves in a heated exchange after McClean’s late tackle on Colwill.
The young Chelsea defender was visibly upset, grabbing McClean by the shirt collar, which led to a skirmish involving players from both teams.
Despite the commotion, the referee chose not to penalize anyone involved.
Chelsea managed to take the lead just before halftime, thanks to Christopher Nkunku’s sharp finish into the corner following a Reece James corner.
The Blues seemed in control, but the second half brought a change in fortunes.
Wrexham’s Comeback
Wrexham turned the tables with two goals from Luke Bolton and Jack Marriott, putting them ahead.
However, Chelsea’s Lesley Ugochukwu came to the rescue with an equalizer in the 82nd minute, ensuring the match ended 2-2.
McClean’s Aggressive Reputation
James McClean, who was recently in the spotlight for his comments about Declan Rice at Euro 2024, captained Wrexham for this match.
Known for his aggressive playing style, McClean’s tackle on Colwill seemed to set off the altercation.
McClean’s history includes numerous bookings and a red card from his time in the Premier League with West Brom and Sunderland.
A New Chapter for Chelsea
This match marked the beginning of Chelsea’s pre-season tour across the US, with upcoming fixtures against Celtic, Club America, Manchester City, and Real Madrid over the next eleven days.
Wrexham, owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, is also on a North American tour, having played two of their three scheduled matches.