Chelsea will be without three new summer signings in their season opener against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Frank Lampard has bolstered his ranks significantly this summer and added six new players to his squad.
But Blues fans hoping to see them all in action have been dealt a huge blow as Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell and Thiago Silva have all been ruled out of Monday’s game.
Ziyech picked up a knee injury in pre-season ten days ago and Chilwell is nursing a similar issue, while Silva is yet to participate in team training.
“Hakim Ziyech took an injury to his knee against Brighton [in a friendly] and he he won’t be fit, hopefully it’s a matter of weeks, we have to see,” Lampard explained in his pre-match press conference.
“Chilwell is working towards fitness but he won’t be fit. He’s developed and improved so it’s good news.
“Thiago is now in London but he’s not training with us until the weekend so I doubt he will be in contention for Brighton. Out of the new ones that’s where we’re at.”
✓ Timo Werner
✓ Hakim Ziyech
✓ Ben Chilwell
✓ Malang Sarr
✓ Thiago Silva
✓ Kai HavertzChelsea complete their sixth signing of the transfer window. pic.twitter.com/0gidyqVyYd
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) September 4, 2020
German duo Timo Werner and Kai Havertz are expected to feature.
Chelsea finished fourth in the Premier League last season and their summer business has put them in contention for the title.
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