The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup champions, Chelsea have announced that they will take on Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan in preseason matches. Softfootball was informed that both matches will come up in August.
Chelsea were involved in the Club World Cup in June and July hence shortening the off season holidays of the players and technical crew. The World Champions will not be taking any trip out of London as both their opponents will be coming to London for the games as Chelsea will be hosting the 2025 VisitMalta Weekender friendly tournament at Stamford Bridge.
According to the club website, Leverkusen under new boss, Erik Ten Haag will be coming from Brazil while Milan who welcome back former boss, Max Allegri after 11 years will stop by in London after their Asian tour. Leverkusen will be the first team to face the newly crowned world champions on August 8 while Milan face them August 10.
Chelsea wowed the world in the United States as they stunned 2025 UEFA Champions League winners, Paris Saint-Germain, who themselves had a very good tournament, 3-0 to win the first ever expanded FIFA Club World Cup.
Chelsea celebrated a week of winning the coveted trophy by posting a video on their verified X handle.
History makers one week ago today. ⏮️🏆 pic.twitter.com/7Je8j0gB5v
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 20, 2025
While the club is on rest at this time, there lost of business going with players moving in and out.
Already, the Blues signed 2 strikers in Liam Delap and Joao Pedro who both starred in the Club World Cup but the club now need to ensure a few sales as well to help balance their sheet. Kepa Arrizbabalaga, Noni Madueke, Petrovic are the only first team players to have moved on from the Cobham training centre.
Maresca’s team are still looking to offload Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson, Joao Felix as they are deemed surplus to requirement. Softfootball is following the club in the transfer window as they rejected Dortmund’s loan offer for Carney Chukwuemeka. They are insistent on a permanent deal for the player.
The World Champions will kick start their Premier League campaign on the 17th August against London rivals, Crystal Palace.
