Chelsea vs Leverkusen: Jackson Absent as Blues Line Up for Pre-Season Friendly – Confirmed Starting XI

Chelsea take on Bayer Leverkusen in a high-profile pre-season friendly today, but all eyes are on the notable absences in Mauricio Pochettino’s squad. Striker Nicolas Jackson, linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge, has been left out of the matchday lineup amid growing transfer speculation.

Chelsea’s Starting XI vs Bayer Leverkusen: Key Takeaways

The Blues’ confirmed lineup features a mix of established stars and exciting young talents, with Willian Estevao set to make his debut. Meanwhile, Christopher Nkunku is also missing, fueling rumors of a potential exit.

Confirmed Chelsea Starting XI:

• Goalkeeper: Jorgensen
• Defenders: Gusto, Acheampong, Chalobah, Cucurella
• Midfielders: Caicedo, Andrey Santos
• Attackers: Estevao, Palmer, George
• Striker: Delap

Notable Absences & Injury Updates

• Nicolas Jackson – Linked with Newcastle, reportedly seeking a move.
• Christopher Nkunku – Also omitted amid transfer talks.
• Romeo Lavia – Ruled out due to injury.
• Levi Colwill – Recovering from knee surgery, long-term absence.
• Wesley Fofana – Back in training but not match-ready.

What to Expect from Chelsea vs Leverkusen

This match marks Chelsea’s first outing since their 3-0 victory over PSG in the Club World Cup final, where Cole Palmer shined with a brace. With new signings and academy talents getting minutes, fans will be eager to see how the squad shapes up ahead of the Premier League opener against Crystal Palace.

Stay tuned for live updates and post-match analysis!