It is their final game of the pre-season before the 2022/23 Premier League season begins next weekend, when Chelsea head to Goodison Park to face Everton.
Thomas Tuchel has moved a 28-man squad to Italy to play for Serie A, with the Blues hoping to give several players 90 minutes to level up their match acumen.
Mason Mount confirmed pre-match that the Blues would get a full tank of minutes, admitting: “It would be nice to get a full 90 minutes under the belt so I’m looking forward to that.”
He added: “It’s a sport that we’re going to use to achieve more physical involvement and improvement, but you also want to win and that’s what we want, go back down that road to win.”
Tuchel will be eager to see a reaction from his side after a 4-0 loss by Arsenal in Orlando last week, a game where the Chelsea boss slammed the commitment of many of his players.
Udinese team news
Simone Pafundi started Udinese’s last friendly against Paphos and could see more minutes against the Premier League giants in March despite being only 16 years old.
Republic of Ireland Under-19 international James Abankwa could also find more playing time in defense, while Roberto Pereira is expected to line up in midfield.
Isaac Success and Beto are among those pushing for attacking berths, with coach Andrea Sotil preparing to shuffle his pack ahead of the last friendly outing of the summer.
Chelsea team news
N’Golo Kante and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are in line for their first outing of the pre-season, who have been barred from traveling to North America due to their COVID-19 vaccination status.
Kepa Arrizabalaga and Ross Barkley are fitness skeptics as questions are asked about their respective futures at Stamford Bridge, but Armando Broja himself could see some action despite lots of talks to get out.
Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso also find themselves at the center of transfer speculation, but Ben Chilwell and Matteo Kovacic are desperate to move and Kalidou Koulibaly will be looking to make his debut for the Blues.
Chelsea team news vs Udinese
Almost everyone on the books at Chelsea is in Italy and will see a few minutes into either game, but given Thomas Tuchel’s willingness to divide the academy’s players already this summer, more important than either of them. Minutes are not expected.
N’Golo Kante and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are back with the gang after their vaccination status banned them from attending a tour of the United States.
Amid questions over his future, Armando Broza could be in for his first minutes of the summer after an injury, although Kepa Arrizabalaga and Ross Barkley are not considered fit enough to feature.
Udinese vs Chelsea score prediction
Usually it would be Chelsea’s regular win. The blues are the clear favorite on paper, but the reality is they’re pretty sad this summer.
That being said, Chelsea have the quality in their squad to see them through this one. Kante’s return could be crucial, while new signing Kalidou Koulibaly could make a big difference after being the best player in the blue against Arsenal.
It’s probably not going to be pretty, but Chelsea’s win is on the cards.
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