Chelsea are ready to kick off against Juventus in their preseason game in Hong Kong, and there are two interesting absences.
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Chelsea’s third friendly game of preseason kicks off in an hour, and the Blues’ team for the game is out.
As always in these matches, the team that Xabi Alonso has selected to start the game doesn’t tell you too much about his thinking for the season ahead. It’s just as much about seeing players in action and getting minutes into their legs. Because of that, absences are the most significant thing in these teams in many cases, and that’s very true today.
Key Chelsea pair miss out – but no need to worry
While the squad is absolutely crammed (there are a hilarious 21 players on the bench), there are two notable absences. Both Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill are likely to be starters when we reach the first day of the Premier League, but today they’re not in the squad.
Simon Johnson of the Athletic reports that that’s because they’re both dealing with “minor issues”.
We will find out just how minor come this weekend – if they’re back in to face Milan on Saturday, we’ll know there’s nothing to worry about. If they miss that, we might raise an eyebrow.
In other news…
David Ornstein has reported that Chelsea are “close” to finalising a deal for Pep Chavarria, with the club in “amicable” talks with Rayo Vallecano.
Nicolas Jackson’s future at Chelsea is very uncertain – it’s felt likely that he will leave, but Xabi Alonso was careful not to close the door on the idea of him staying in his press conference comments today.
