Simon Stone
BBC Sport in Los Angeles

It will be interesting to see the crowd figure at LA Galaxy's Dignity Health Sports Park tonight.

There was over 13,300 in Santa Barbara on Saturday to see Wrexham take on Bournemouth.

The feeling is there might be fewer than that in Los Angeles, even though it is a meeting of two Premier League sides, including one title challenger.

It just shows the popularity of Wrexham, thanks to their superstar owners and the 'Welcome to Wrexham' docu-series.

Image source, Getty Images

Only the bravest of football fans stay up until the early hours of the morning to watch their team play in pre-season and that is exactly what the Arsenal and Bournemouth faithful will have to do on Thursday morning.

The Gunners take on the Cherries in Los Angeles as the pre-season tour of America gets under way.

Arsenal will also play Man United and Liverpool while out in the US.

The Premier League is just around the corner with the English top-flight getting back underway on 16 August.

Manchester City are the reigning champions and they have been for the past four seasons. But will they do it again this campaign or will there be a new champion?

And what of the other end of the table? Will Everton be battling once again? will the newly promoted sides stay up?

Get in touch and let us know who you think will finish top and bottom.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson is hoping the club come up with the "right" decisions in the transfer market.

Parkinson hopes the presence of senior club figures will lead to a clear direction for Wrexham's transfer strategy over the remaining weeks of the transfer window, as he looks to make the improvements he feels are needed for his side to be competitive on their return to the third tier for the first time in 19 years.

"We have got Rob [McEhenney, co-owner] and Shaun Harvey flew in yesterday so it is a great chance to review the squad," said Parkinson.

"Can we add a little bit of quality? We are speaking to a few players while we are out here. Hopefully we will make the right decisions to take us into the season."

Wrexham have already played two pre-season friendlies and have got good results in both matches.

Their first saw them take on League One's Hanley Town and the Welsh club won 5-1.

Next up they played Premier League side Bournemouth and came out with a 1-1 draw.

They next play Chelsea, who they lost 5-0 to last summer, and they will want to close the gap on the Blues.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Reece James is aiming to “stay on the pitch” after an injury-hit season and admits he must improve on disciplinary issues.

The Blues captain, 24, spoke about recovering from surgery following his reoccurring hamstring problem in December.

Asked about his aims for the new season before a pre-season friendly against League One newboys Wrexham in Santa Clara, California, he said: "I have one goal - to stay on the pitch."

James will miss the start of the 2024-25 season after being sent off in the penultimate match of the last campaign. It was his second red card of the season so the ban extends into the first three games.

He acknowledged it is a part of his game that needs improving.

"I am one to push the boundaries and sometimes that has caused problems for myself and the team, but that is something I'm trying to get better at.

"I don't want to make mistakes and put my team at risk.”

James was alongside new boss Enzo Maresca who met the media for the first time following his appointment in May.

James is hopeful about having a better campaign next season under the Italian's leadership.

"I would like to think I'm in a good place now. I had a long off-season and I've got a long pre-season because I'm serving a four-game ban, but I'm in a good place," James added.

"There are a lot of adjustments to make in the new system. Whenever a new manager comes in, there is a lot to take on board but we are excited and I can't wait to get started."

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was asked about leaving Trevoh Chalobah at home instead of taking him on the USA tour.

He said: "From my point of view, it's always sad to leave players out - pre-season, squad, first 11. They work every day for the same target.

"Trevoh situation is quite clear. We have Axel [Disasi], Tosin [Adarabioyo], Wes [Fofana] - who is finally back - some young profiles."

Image source, Getty Images

The Guardian, external report Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah is understood to have been shocked at being left out of the club's pre-season tour of the United States and the 25-year-old believes he is being forced out of the club.

Enzo Maresca has said his philosophy with Chelsea is to "dominate the game".

At a press conference he was asked about developing a relationship with fans and what philosophy he has, he said: "It's always important to have a connection with the fans. The fans everywhere. The philosophy is quite clear. We try to dominate the game.

"We try to keep the ball as much as we can. Overall, this is a little bit of the idea. Be aggressive on and off the ball."

And he added on Christopher Nkunku: "He can play everywhere. He's one of the players in these two weeks who is doing very, very well. He is taking the way we want to play. We will try to have players who can play in different positions [in attack]."

Image source, Getty Images

Enzo Maresca will have his first game in charge of Chelsea against Wrexham tomorrow, kicking off at 3.30am GMT.

In his press conference for the match he was asked what his targets are with the club, to which he replied: "The only thing I can say is that I am here for the same idea and target. When you join a club like Chelsea, you have to try win trophies, or at least compete.

"When? I don't know. Hopefully as soon as possible."

The last time Chelsea won a trophy was the Champions League in 2021. Maresca's last trophy came last season with the Championship win with Leicester City.

Premier League club Chelsea will play their first game under new manager Enzo Maresca against League One side Wrexham.

The Blues will be favourites to win the pre-season friendly but Wrexham head into the match on the back of back-to-back league promotions.

It hasn't been confirmed but it is likely one or both of their Hollywood owners - Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney - will be in attendance.

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has faced the media as the club embark on their USA tour and was asked about the situation surrounding midfielder Enzo Fernandez.

The 23-year-old has ongoing disciplinary proceedings after being accused by the French Football Federation of signing a £racist and defamatory" chant about some of the French players.

Maresca said: "It's great that the player did the statement to apologise. The club did the same. There is not something to add to the situation. It's clear and clarified."

And he added: : "I don't think so. They are all human beings. I don't think there are any bad intentions from any of them.

"I don't think when Enzo is back that we will have any situations. Enzo clarified the situation, the club the same and so there is nothing to add and, once again, I think they are not bad persons or human beings.

"It can happen but I don't think there are any problems at all. I spoke with Enzo and all of them."

Chelsea captain Reece James was also asked about his teammate.

The skipper said: "Enzo hasn't arrived yet. I will have to make that judgement [on whether to get involved] when he does. I hope everyone can move forward with the situation.

"I've spoken to Enzo and everyone involved but the conversations have to stay in house."

Read the full story.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

Kalvin Phillips seems certain to leave Manchester City - most likely on loan - before the transfer window closes on 30 August.

Phillips endured a terrible spell at West Ham in the second half of last season, ending any hopes of him making Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024.

He was replaced at half-time against Celtic in the 4-3 defeat on Tuesday, although Guardiola said that was to protect him after he had missed the end of last season with injury.

"That’s why we didn’t give him more minutes," said Guardiola. "I don't know what's going to happen. He knows the situation, and we'll see."

Manchester City's Oscar Bobb had a good performance last night with a goal and two assists with buzz gathering around him before the start of the Premier League season.

Will he be the star to break through in the upcoming season? Or will it be someone else?

Get in touch and let us know your thoughts using the information above. Remember to leave your name with your message.

Daily Mirror

The Jadon Sancho story is also the lead for the Mirror.

They also say it would cost £40m to buy the England international.

Image source, Mirror

The Daily Express

Jadon Sancho could be heading for Paris Saint-Germain, according to the Express.

Sancho has had a bumpy time at Manchester United under Erik ten Hag but the pair are reported to have put everything behind them as they move forward.

Image source, Express

Manchester City's tour has only just begun with their loss to Celtic. They will next play AC Milan in New York on 27 July.

City will then play Barcelona in Orlando on 30 July and finally face off against Chelsea in Columbus on 3 August.

Celtic, meanwhile, have almost concluded their tour with the Scottish Premiership back underway on 3 August.

The Scottish team have already beaten MLS team DC United 4-0 and, of course, defeated City 4-3. They next play Chelsea in Indiana on 27 July.

Image source, Getty Images

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers was full of praise for his side after the game.

He said: "Whenever you play Pep [Guardiola] teams it is so complex how they play. I said before the game that it would be another step up for us physically but also tactically as you have got to be so concentrated and press in the right moments.

"You can't always press or else you end up running more. I thought the players dealt with that so well. The football we played was excellent. The goals were class and we attacked and showed how much we wanted to attack.

"It was a really good night and the supporters were amazing once again."