Chelsea FC XI vs Juventus: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for pre-season friendly today

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Chelsea XI vs Juventus: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for pre-season friendly today

Mykhailo Mudryk is hoping for his first minutes since his doping ban was lifted

Sam Tabuteau

2 minutes ago

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Your matchday briefing on Chelsea, featuring team news and expert analysis from Dom Smith

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Chelsea’s pre-season tour of Australia and Asia continues today with a clash with Juventus in Hong Kong, as Mykhailo Mudryk pushes to play.

Xabi Alonso’s side will be looking to bounce back after losing 2-1 to 10-man Tottenham in Sydney last weekend.

Chelsea lost for the first time under Alonso as Spurs struck with virtually the last kick of the game, and the Blues boss admits his side are not quite where they want to be with three weeks until the start of the new Premier League season.

“We are at the stage of pre-season, so not where we want to be, for sure,” Alonso said in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

Halfway through their pre-season preparations, Alonso will now hope to get some of his senior players up to speed after their staggered returns from the World Cup.

Moises Caicedo and Nicolas Jackson both joined up with the squad last weekend after taking extended leave following the World Cup, but were not involved against Spurs.

Robert Sanchez also missed the defeat to Spurs through injury, but Alonso confirmed he will be in the squad against Juventus.

The Spanish goalkeeper will compete against Mike Penders for a place in the side, with the Belgian youngster returning from holiday after the World Cup.

There is also a place in the squad for Mudryk following his return from a doping ban.

The 25-year-old has not played for Chelsea since November 2024, and Alonso admits he won’t be available to play the full 90 against Juventus.

“He came directly from the airport to the hotel. Yesterday was more about the feelings and emotions, than to assess fitness level. But yes, he could play. 90 minutes too early. He can be selected, he can play,” Alonso said when asked about Mudryk’s fitness.

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New signing Danny Welbeck is also in contention to make his Chelsea debut after arriving from Brighton for an undisclosed fee, as is winger Geovany Quenda.

Quenda, who arrived from Sporting this summer, stayed at Cobham and did not fly out with the rest of the squad to Australia as he recovered from a knock.

The 19-year-old has now, though, joined the rest of the squad and should be in contention to play against Juventus.

There are a couple of fitness doubts heading into tomorrow’s game, with Cole Palmer pictured doing individual work at the club’s open training session on Tuesday. Levi Colwill, meanwhile, did not train.

Alonso also remains without those players who reached the latter stages of the World Cup, including British record transfer Morgan Rogers and new signing Jordan Henderson.

Chelsea predicted XI: Penders, Palestra, Fofana, Tosin, Hato, Lavia, Caicedo, Quenda, Walsh, Gittens, Joao Pedro

Doubts: Palmer, Colwill

Time and date: 12.30pm BST on Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Venue: Kai Tak Sports Park, Hong Kong

How to watch: CFC+

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