Chelsea take on Bayer Leverkusen in preseason opener

A preseason friendly between Chelsea and Bayer Leverkusen at Stamford Bridge, with expected rotation as teams prepare for the new season.

Chelsea take on Bayer Leverkusen in preseason opener

Chelsea host Bayer Leverkusen in a preseason clash at Stamford Bridge, with both sides planning broad squad rotation to build fitness and test options ahead of the opener next weekend.

Chelsea have confirmed their starting XI and a long list of substitutes, including Jorgensen in goal and a back four of Gusto, Acheampong, Chalobah, and Cucurella, with Caicedo and Andrey Santos in midfield as Estevao, Palmer, George, and Delap round out the attack. Leverkusen line up with Flekken in goal and a defence anchored by Hincapie, Quansah, Andrich, Tapsoba and Schick up front with Grimaldo, Adli, Tella, Garcia and Maza providing the support. Broadcast details show regional variations, with UK viewers able to watch on Channel 5 and streaming through DAZN and Paramount+ in parts of the world.

The match is labeled a friendly with no live blog planned, signaling a straightforward, watch-and-learn approach for fans and coaches alike as both teams assess depth and form during this early phase of the summer.

The lineup confirms point to one clear trend: both clubs want to spread minutes widely. That approach prioritizes conditioning and evaluation over results, a sensible strategy when players are jumping into a dense calendar. For Chelsea, the blend of youth and experience signals a plan to ready the squad for competition while giving fringe players a platform to push for minutes. Leverkusen’s approach mirrors this, balancing a tested spine with opportunities for younger players to showcase potential. The broadcast setup also matters, widening access while underscoring how preseason games have become a global watch party rather than a private training session. Expect the weekend to shape conversations about depth and selection more than it does final standing.

Highlights

The weekend will reveal how quickly form translates into minutes and how teams balance development with preparation for the new season.