Chelsea's players can't wait to head back Stateside this summer but for Noni Madueke, he has more reason than most to look forward to a return.

As part of preparations for the new season, the Blues will visit five American cities, with five different opponents providing an ideal test ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

Games against Wrexham in Santa Clara, California and Scottish Champions Celtic in Notre Dame, Indiana are first up on this year's stateside visit.

Enzo Maresca's side will then head to Georgia to face Mexican champions Club America in Atlanta, where our meeting with Newcastle United took place on our last visit 11 months ago.

Being back in the state's capital will carry particular significance for Madueke who has close family connections to the host city.

‘It’s a country really close to my heart,' he said. 'I’ve got family, two aunties and a load of cousins out there.

‘They are from Atlanta, Georgia, and we'd visit them growing up, probably every two years or so with my Mum and I've been loads of times since; it's a great country.'

That game in Atlanta will offer the Blues winger a first chance to play at the impressive Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Madueke missed the 1-1 draw against Newcastle last year due to an untimely hamstring injury and is keen to show our US fanbase just what he can do.

‘I'm buzzing to go back on tour with Chelsea,' he said.

‘I picked up an injury in pre-season, so I was just watching all the games, but god willing, I'll be fit. I can't wait, it's going to be fun.

'The tour was important for all of us last year as we had a lot of new players. It was good to have some time to bond away from Cobham and aid our team camaraderie.'

Chelsea have a huge fanbase in the US, with supporter groups across the nation, and Madueke believes it is crucial they give those passionate fans the chance to see them live.

He explained: ‘It's very important for us to get the chance to play there. I feel like soccer - as they call it - is growing every year out there, so I feel like it's important to check in with our fanbases out there for sure.'

Chelsea’s USA Tour 2024