Chelsea face Serie A champions Inter at Stamford Bridge in their final dress rehearsal before the start of the 2024/25 season.

The Enzo Maresca era has gotten off to a pretty concerning start with the Blues enduring a tough tour of the United States. Chelsea won just one of their five outings across the pond, losing to Celtic, Manchester City and Real Madrid. They were also held by League One Wrexham.

Growing pains are to be expected at the start of Maresca’s reign and there’s no denying that the Blues have offered promise in possession. It’s been a horror show without the ball, however, and City will be licking their lips when they rock up to the Bridge on Matchday 1 of the new Premier League season next week.

Before that, though, Maresca’s men are preparing for another tough pre-season challenge, this time against the Serie A champions. Inter were runaway Scudetto victors last season and well placed to go back-to-back. The Nerazzurri have retained the bulk of their title-winning squad while making a couple of savvy free-agent additions.

Here’s 90min’s preview of Chelsea’s friendly against Inter.

Chelsea vs Inter H2H Record (All Games)

Current form (all competitions)

Cole Palmer and Marc Cucurella have finally returned to Cobham after the pair enjoyed extended breaks post-Euro 2024. However, Maresca doesn’t know whether either player will be fit to play on Sunday.

Nicolas Jackson is carrying an ankle injury and was absent for much of Chelsea’s tour of the US. He’s a doubt for the Blues’ upcoming friendly with Axel Disasi likely to miss out again.

Moises Caicedo could come into the team alongside new signing Kieran Dewsbury-Hall. Ben Chilwell has so far been unfavoured with Malo Gusto earning minutes at left-back.

Chelsea predicted lineup vs Inter (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; James, Tosin, Colwill, Gusto; Dewsbury-Hall, Caicedo; Madueke, Nkunku, Sterling; Guiu.

Inter are likely to be without new arrivals Mehdi Taremi and Piotr Zielinksi on Sunday. Both are nursing muscle injuries but neither is expected to miss the start of the 2024/25 Serie A season.

Stefan de Vrij has been dealing with a hamstring issue but should be fine to feature, but wing-back Tajon Buchanan is unlikely to travel.

Simone Inzaghi will be expected to name a strong Nerazzurri XI in west London, one including the likes of Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu. Lautaro Martinez could also return to the squad following his Copa America heroics.

Inter predicted lineup vs Chelsea (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Mkhitaryan, Calhanoglu, Barella, Dimarco; Thuram, Correa.

Maresca is well aware of his side’s defensive issues and they’re unlikely to be solved in time for Sunday’s friendly. Inter will be taking a strong squad to the Bridge and will be the next team to take advantage of the Blues’ structural issues without the ball and their high defensive line.

However, Chelsea should be buoyed by returning to Stamford Bridge and have played some good stuff themselves at times this summer. Given Inter were only recently beaten by Al Ittihad, the hosts should have some joy on Sunday. The likes of Noni Madueke and Raheem Sterling have impressed this summer, with Maresca potentially welcoming Palmer back to the fold.

There should be goals in the west London sun and Chelsea could earn a positive result on home soil.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-2 Inter

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