Chelsea confirm full squad for Newcastle pre-season friendly with Reece James update
Chelsea's pre-season tour of America takes another step up when they face Newcastle in Atlanta on Thursday. It will be the third chance for Mauricio Pochettino to have a look at his side as the tour ticks over the halfway stage.
With nine goals, six different goalscorers and plenty to be positive about, it's all going well for Pochettino and Chelsea so far but Eddie Howe's Magpies will be a new sort of challenge. Bankrolled and ready to go in the Champions League, Newcastle have former AC Milan star Sandro Tonali at their disposal and will be looking to lay down a marker heading into the 2023/24 campaign.
They played out an entertaining 3-3 draw with Aston Villa on Monday with Harvey Barnes also getting his first minutes in the side. There's a new type of expectation on them that hasn't yet extended to Chelsea with such a young squad.
While the Blues still have plenty to prove under their new boss, they are entering the game here withConor Gallagher as the most experienced midfielder and he could be about to leave. For now, Gallagher is in the squad ready to play Newcastle. Coming off the back off two goals in two games and being the only outfield player to start and finish the 4-3 win over Brighton, it isn't impossible he stays at the club.
West Ham have had a bid of around £40million ($51million) rejected for the 23-year-old while Chelsea continue to monitor Moises Caicedo.For now, there is now sign of him joining with a steep valuation gap between themselves and Brighton.
Elsewhere there is a chance for Reece James to be involved. The full-back was left out of the matchday squad against Brighton as his fitness is managed carefully due to recent injury scares. Noni Madueke is in the same camp after returning to the squad
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