Chelsea lineup for Milan friendly

Gittens and Joao Pedro start as Chelsea host AC Milan in a pre season clash at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea line up to face AC Milan

Chelsea have named Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro in their starting XI for the VisitMalta Weekender clash with AC Milan at Stamford Bridge. The lineup sees Robert Sanchez in goal, a back four of Reece James, Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah and Marc Cucurella, with Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez in midfield. The attack features Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer and Gittens supporting Joao Pedro, who starts as the central striker. It is the second and final pre-season fixture as Enzo Maresca continues to build fitness ahead of the Premier League opener against Crystal Palace. The match also includes a trophy presentation for the Conference League and Club World Cup.

Chelsea’s plans show a willingness to mix youth with experience, as Maresca looks to test depth across the squad while preparing for a busy schedule ahead. Enzo Fernandez will get his first pre-season minutes, and the front four offer a blend of pace and creativity with Neto and Palmer supporting Gittens and Joao Pedro from the front. The day also serves as a platform to assess how the team adapts to different formations and opposition styles ahead of competitive fixtures.

This lineup signals a deliberate approach to pre season where minutes matter more than fixed roles. By giving Gittens and Joao Pedro starts at Stamford Bridge, Maresca is signaling trust in youth alongside a core of established players. The midfield pairing of Caicedo and Fernandez suggests a plan to balance energy with distribution as the season approaches. The back line, anchored by Sanchez in goal, mixes experience and potential with a captain in James guiding a rebuilt defence.

Rotational depth is the theme, not a one off. The presence of Enzo Fernandez for his first pre-season minutes, combined with a front line built around Neto, Palmer and Gittens, shows Chelsea aiming to evaluate options for the wide positions and central attack. If this approach translates to reliable performances in friendlies, it could ease the burden on a tight calendar and offer tactical flexibility for different opponents as the Premier League opener draws near.

Highlights

The minutes from this match will shape Chelsea’s choices as the season grows closer.