Chelsea fans were looking forward to seeing new signing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall feature against Wrexham on Wednesday night. However, the former Leicester City player didn't play for fellow ex-Fox Enzo Maresca. But why was the talented midfielder absent?
Meanwhile Blues defender Levi Colwill had a rather heated altercation with the Red Dragons' James McClean. It only took two minutes of a friendly for the combative Englishman and the notoriously fiery previous Republic of Ireland international to become embroiled in a furious fracas. What caused tempers to flare?
Reason for Levi Colwill and James McClean fight so early into preseason schedule
Well, Colwill and McClean didn't wait long, did they?! The two opponents are known to occasionally be a bit hot-headed on the pitch; the latter is more noted for involving himself in unnecessary nonsense. After a mere 90 seconds into the friendly fixture at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, the opposing pair were involved in a heated flashpoint.
So what happened? Basically the onetime Brighton & Hove Albion loanee was displeased with a crunching challenge from the former Sunderland, Wigan Athletic, West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City star. A confrontation transpired subsequent to Colwill's pass to Benoit Badiashile as McClean came crashing in.
The Irish Mirror elaborate on the incident, stating that McClean was then grabbed around the throat. The pair 'wrested' until teammates and staff intervened and stopped the melee. Neither professional was given a yellow card by the referee as a consequence to the matter.
Incidentally, the practice outing between CFC and the Hollywood-owned club ended 2-2. I am sure that Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are content with a stalemate versus a much bigger outfit.
Lesley Ugochukwu's equaliser late on in the match saved Enzo Maresca's blushes in his first non-competitive clash. Christopher Nkunku got the other Chels' goal; Luke Bolton and Jack Marriott netted for the Welsh side.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall misses out on Chelsea fixture due to a knock - how bad is the injury?
CFC Fans were eagerly anticipating Dewsbury-Hall's initial run out for his new club. But the LCFC Academy graduate was nowhere to be seen as the west Londoners got proceedings underway in the USA.
Dewsbury-Hall is a real worker and loves his football so his absence was a slight surprise. Apparently the 25-year-old's issue is only 'minor'. And he was spotted running with fitness staff at the end of the open training session at Stanford University.