3 players miss training: Full Chelsea team news to face Arsenal revealed, Kalidou Koulibaly doubt? & more..
The team announcement for Chelsea’s final match of their preseason tour of the United States, which will take place in Orlando on Sunday AM (UK), has been made public.
After defeating Club America in their first game, Thomas Tuchel’s team has a W1, L1 record from their two games thus far. However, they lost on penalties against MLS team Charlotte FC in North Carolina in the middle of the week.
The third and final game of Chelsea’s US tour before returning to England is on Sunday against Mikel Arteta’s team at the Camping World Stadium.
Many players were absent when Charlotte defeated them. Due to injuries, the team was without Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cesar Azpilicueta, Ross Barkley, and Timo Werner.
Kepa was in agony, making it difficult for him to move freely, and Werner was out with a hamstring injury. While Barkley was still having hamstring issues, Azpilicueta was dealing with a muscular problem.
On Friday, Werner and Azpilicueta returned to training, but Kepa and Barkley were not to be found, which casts serious question on their ability to face Arsenal.
As a result, Kalidou Koulibaly, who joined from Napoli earlier this month, is set to make his debut.
Levi Colwill missed training, although the cause of his absence is still unknown, rendering him questionable for the Arsenal game.
Jorginho will be ready to start once again for the Blues, admitting pre-match: “Against Arsenal it’s never a friendly match.”
Below are the Full list of those who were and weren’t involved in the open training session on Friday.
Goalkeepers: Marcus Bettinelli, Teddy Sharman-Lowe, Edouard Mendy
Defenders: Ethan Ampadu, Cesar Azpilicueta, Marcos Alonso, Emerson Palmieri, Trevoh Chalobah, Reece James, Ben Chilwell, Malang Sarr, Kalidou Koulibaly, Thiago Silva
Midfielders: Mason Mount, Conor Gallagher, Kenedy, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic
Attackers: Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Raheem Sterling, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Michy Batshuayi, Hakim Ziyech
Absent: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Levi Colwill, Ross Barkley