Christopher
Nkunku's first-half strike had given Enzo Maresca the perfect start to life
as Chelsea head coach, but, before long, goals from Luke Bolton and Jack
Marriott following defensive mishaps saw League One Wrexham surprisingly
ahead in a lively encounter in California.
Lesley Ugochukwu equalised with 10 minutes to go as the game ended 2-2, but
there will be much to ponder for Maresca, who fielded an XI containing many
of the names you would expect to see on a Premier League teamsheet.
Reece James captained the side, while Tosin slotted into a back four
following his summer move from Fulham. Romeo Lavia anchored the midfield, as
Nkunku was joined by youngsters Tyrique George and Noni Madueke in attack.
Half time saw Maresca make ten substitutions, with Chukwuemeka the only
player to retain his place - Armando Broja and Raheem Sterling were among
those introduced.
Broja was ultimately the one to make the difference, injecting some pace
into Chelsea's attack, and laying the ball back for Ugochukwu to side-foot
home from 12 yards to rescue the draw in the 81st minute.
Chelsea beat Wrexham 5-0 in a friendly last season.
Maresca defends 'risky' playing style
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca admitted his side "are going to concede goals"
by adopting his preferred style of playing out from the back, after two
defensive errors led to a 2-2 draw with League One side Wrexham in his first
game in charge.
"Hopefully, not too many [goals]," Maresca said, when asked about the
dangers of over-playing in defensive areas.
"It is one of the risks that you have trying to build from behind.
"Sometimes teams that try to build from the back concede goals but I think
you are going to score more than you concede.
"For sure, we did many things we can improve, but we started just two weeks
ago.
"Tonight was important to start seeing the identity of the team and the
identity is there."
Teams
Chelsea: Sanchez, James, Badiashile, Tosin, Colwill, Lavia, Chukwuemeka,
Nkunku, Madueke, Guiu, George.
Subs: Bergstrom, Beach, Acheampong, Chilwell, Fofana, Gusto, Veiga, Santos,
Ugochukwu, Angelo, Sterling, Broja.
Wrexham: Okonkwo, Cleworth, Brunt, O'Connor, Bolton, Jones, Dobson, Lee,
Revan, Palmer, McClean.
Subs: Howard, Burton, Boyle, Barnett, James, Forde, Evans, Ashfield, Cannon,
Davies, Bickerstaff, Waters, Dalby, Marriott.
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