Three of Chelsea’s new signings will be unavailable for the trip against Brighton and Hove Albion on Monday, Manager Frank Lampard has confirmed.
Hakim Ziyech is out with a knee injury and will be out for a couple of weeks.
He sustained the injury against Brighton in a pre-season friendly.
‘’Hakim Ziyech took an injury to his knee against Brighton in the friendly game so he won’t be fit,’’ Said Lampard in a virtual news conference.
‘‘We hope it’s a matter of weeks, hopefully a couple of weeks, but we will have to see on that one.’’
Left-back Ben Chilwell and Thiago Silva are also not ready for their debuts.
‘‘Ben Chilwell is working towards fitness. He won’t be fit for Brighton. He has developed and improved this week and going in the right direction, which is good news for us.
‘’Thiago Silva is now in London but not training with us until the weekend, so I doubt very much he will be in contention for the Brighton game.
‘‘Other than that, Billy Gilmour is a longer-term injury, he will be out for a couple of months more, but other than that we are in decent shape.’’
Christian Pulisic and Cesar Azpilcueta are available after picking injuries against Arsenal in the FA Cup final.
‘‘I am very happy to welcome them both back’’ Said Lampard.
‘’Yesterday was their first day fully training with the team, so they’re in contention for Monday.
‘I have to be careful and I have a squad to pick from, but the way they’re training and their attitude to come back, it looks like they’re over those injuries. I just have to make sure I manage them both back in in their own ways.’’
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