Chelsea are reportedly set to take part in a Premier League pre-season tournament ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
The Athletic report that the top flight is gearing up for an 'announcement' of the six-team competition, which will be played in the United States of America. The Blues, Aston Villa, Brentford, Brighton & Hove Albion and Newcastle United are set to travel to the US, as are Leeds United but there is uncertainty about their participation given relegation fears at Elland Road.
It is being reported that the tournament will be dubbed the 'summer series' with teams going head-to-head in cities that are five hours behind the United Kingdom on Eastern Standard Time. Chelsea will be wary of a repeat of last season's pre-season tour with former Stamford Bridge boss Thomas Tuchel hitting out at the travel and organisation of the trip to the US, which involved crossing three time zones.
Playing all matches in one time zone should alleviate any problems Chelsea had last summer, plus the official organisation from the Premier League will hopefully make sure the tournament goes off without a hitch. The Athletic reports that branding the competition and including top teams, three of the Premier League's top seven at present, is part of a move from the Premier League to host games that have meaning abroad rather than simply pre-season friendlies.
Who manages Chelsea during the tour is yet to be seen, though, with Frank Lampard in charge until the end of the season after the sacking of Graham Potter. Former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann and ex-Spain head coach Luis Enrique are both under consideration while Mauricio Pochettino has also been linked.
Lampard's return as a permanent manager is not expected unless there is a dramatic turnaround in form with the Blues losing his first game in charge on Saturday 1-0 to relegation-threatened Wolverhampton Wanderers.
READ NEXT:
What Frank Lampard has already said on Mason Mount, Kai Havertz & Graham Potter underperformers
Todd Boehly explains Chelsea stance as new seven-year contract agreed
Frank Lampard's first words as new Chelsea manager with team admission made
Todd Boehly breaks silence on Frank Lampard's Chelsea return
Frank Lampard has already given Christian Pulisic Chelsea verdict in last chance for USMNT star
