Watch: Chelsea's Levi Colwill involved in furious bust-up with James McClean during Wrexham clash
Chelsea star Levi Colwill and Wrexham man James McClean sparked a brawl just three minutes into their pre-season friendly game in Santa Clara, United States on Wednesday (July 24).
The Blues, who finished sixth in the 2023-24 Premier League standings, registered a 2-2 draw against Wrexham at Levi's Stadium. Christopher Nkunku netted the first goal of the contest in the 35th minute before Luke Bolton and Jack Marriott scored a goal each in the second half. Lesley Ugochukwu bagged the key equaliser in the 82nd minute.
However, tempers flared in the third minute of the recent contest. After McClean's late challenge on Colwill, the players got involved in an altercation. The pair had to be separated from each other, with Nkunku and Romeo Lavia stepping in between the two players.
Even Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson was forced to step in to calm the situation down between Colwill and McClean. After the end of the melee, both players were not handed a booking as it was a friendly tie.
Chelsea, who appointed Enzo Maresca as their new manager last month, will next face Scottish giants Celtic in a pre-season contest on Saturday (July 27). They are set to face Club America, Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Inter Milan before the start of the new term.
Chelsea star confident about new season
During a recent interaction with journalist Ben Jacobs, Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was asked if he is confident about being his club's first choice. He replied (h/t X/@JacobsBen):
"I am training hard to get that position. I'll get some minutes and we'll go from there. I always think playing with my feet is my game. I feel really comfortable with what [Enzo Maresca] wants. He has explained what he wants from me and I've been doing it in training, and it's looking really good at the moment."
Sanchez, whose current deal is set to expire in June 2030, continued:
"I know what I can bring to the team. I am positive. It's a totally different [style]. The goalkeeper here needs to 'have a pair' and show a bit of personality. I think I am the right guy for that. Right now, I'm feeling really confident in training. It's looking good. [It's about] just being a bit different to what a normal goalkeeper is like."
Sanchez, 26, has registered five clean sheets in 21 outings across all competitions since arriving from Brighton & Hove Albion last summer.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are allegedly interested in signing Villarreal shot-stopper Filip Jorgensen, who relished a breakout campaign last term.