Pre-season schedules of top European teams for the 2015-16 season
The time of the year, when football teams head out to different countries and continents to play friendlies against foreign teams as part of their preseason tour, is upon us. Pre-season games are important, not just for the players to regain their fitness and confidence before their gruelling domestic and continental leagues begin, but also for the managers to test out different formations and strategies.In this slideshow, we look at the respective pre-season fixtures of the top European clubs –
#1 Chelsea
After a dominating 2014-15 season wherein the Blues bagged the Premier League and League Cup double, the champions travel to North America to take part in the International Champions Cup.
With Mourinho looking to keep his current crop of stars for the next season, Chelsea haven't been too active in the transfer window so far, only acquiring the services of former Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, and Manchester United reject Radamel Falcao, the latter arriving on a season-long loan.
Chelsea also play Arsenal in the Community Shield at Wembley, a week before the Premier League kicks off.
| Date | Opponent | Tournament |
|---|---|---|
| July 23 | New York Red Bulls | International Champions Cup |
| July 25 | PSG | International Champions Cup |
| July 29 | Barcelona | International Champions Cup |
| August 2 | Arsenal | Community Shield (Wembley) |