In an start to Chelsea’s pre-season tour in the US, defender Levi Colwill clashed with Wrexham’s James McClean just two minutes into the friendly.
The heated confrontation took place at Levi’s Stadium, California, with tensions boiling over almost immediately.
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As Chelsea carefully maintained possession in their own half, Colwill passed the ball to fellow defender Benoit Badiashile. Out of nowhere, McClean launched into a late challenge, prompting an immediate and fiery reaction from Colwill.
The Chelsea defender aggressively grabbed McClean by the collar, and the two players grappled, refusing to back down.
Team-mates, coaches, and officials rushed in to separate the pair, defusing the volatile situation before it could escalate further. Despite the intensity of the altercation, the referee opted not to issue any cards, acknowledging the friendly nature of the match.
This pre-season game marked the beginning of Chelsea’s US tour, where they are set to face formidable opponents such as Celtic, Club America, Real Madrid, and Manchester City. It also served as the inaugural match for Enzo Maresca, newly appointed manager after his tenure at Leicester.
For Wrexham, this match was a significant event, highlighting their rise in popularity under the ownership of Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
The club, now basking in the success of the ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ docuseries, has achieved back-to-back promotions and is gearing up for their League One campaign.
James McClean, with his Premier League experience, is a key figure in Wrexham’s squad. Known for his physicality, McClean has a history of aggressive play, having been penalized for numerous fouls and cards during his time at Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion.
The incident between Colwill and McClean set a fiery tone for the pre-season, underlining the competitive spirit both teams brought to the pitch.
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