Pochettino hints at his Chelsea starting XI for Premier League opener vs Liverpool

The Argentine boss arrived at the Blues earlier in the summer and has overseen their pre-season tour in the United States.

With five games played, Chelsea have gone unbeaten throughout the summer and even won the inaugural Premier League Summer Series.

Wednesday night saw them play their final friendly before the new season as they took on Borussia Dortmund in Chicago.

A late Mason Burstow header cancelled out Marius Wolf's goal for the German side as a 1-1 draw capped off a fine pre-season for the Blues.

Pochettino named a strong starting XI on the night and hinted after the game that those stars could lineup against Liverpool next Sunday.

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"This was about giving 90 minutes to the team in my head that I plan to play because the season is only 10 days away," he said.

Kepa Arrizabalaga started in goal with Thiago Silva, Ben Chilwell and Reece James in defence next to Levi Colwill, who has signed a new six-year deal.

Enzo Fernandez and Conor Gallagher played in midfield behind Christopher Nkunku, Carney Chukwuemeka, Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson.

Unfortunately for Nkunku though his night lasted just 22 minutes as he went down with an injury on the 'dangerous' pitch conditions having initially fallen in the area earlier in the match.

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Pochettino unsure when Nkunku will return after Chelsea star picks up knee knock

Pochettino offered an update on the Frenchman following the full-time whistle: "The doctors are checking him and I hope it is not a big issue.

"He fell in the action [against Mats Hummels] which was maybe a penalty and he feels something in his knee, but we hope it is nothing big.

"We hope he can be back quickly with the team. We need a few days to assess him."

Mykhailo Mudryk replaced Nkunku, with Marc Cucurella and Ian Maatsen other top talents to make appearances off the bench.

Chelsea won three of their pre-season friendlies and drew the other two before they host Liverpool at Stamford Bridge next Sunday on the opening weekend of the new campaign.

Such a clash will prove to be an interesting affair as both teams have a lot to prove after their respective disappointing seasons last term.

Chelsea especially will be hoping to get off to the best possible start in order to make amends for their 12th place finish.

They therefore have no European football to play this season, with fans hoping Pochettino is the man to lead them to glory once again.