Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has confirmed he will be without three of his summer signings for the trip to Brighton on Monday – with Hakim Ziyech, Thiago Silva and Ben Chilwell all out of contention.
The Blues have splashed out more than £200million on new recruits in this transfer window, outlining serious ambitions for the Premier League title, but while many fans would have been excited to see their new stars in action, the Chelsea legend said a large handful of them would have to wait for their debuts.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of their season opener against the Seagulls, he said: ‘[Hakim] Ziyech took an injury to his knee in the friendly against Brighton, he won’t be fit. We’re working with him and hoping it’s a matter of weeks. We’ll have to see on that one.
‘Ben Chilwell is working towards fitness but won’t be fit either, but he’s improved which is good news for us. Thiago Silva is in London but not training with us until the weekend. I doubt very much he’ll be in contention.’
But while Lampard will be without two defenders for the game, he said he would be able to call upon Christian Pulisic and Cesar Azpilicueta, who were both injured in the FA Cup final against Arsenal last month.
He also said he would have centre-back Fikayo Tomori, who is reportedly close to a move to Everton, available in the squad.
The 22-year-old was given a chance by the young manager last season and impressed with some strong displays, but eventually lost his place in the team – with Antonio Rudiger and Kurt Zouma preferred.
There should be plenty of pressure on Chelsea to succeed this season given their heavy investment in the playing squad.
Kai Havertz joined from Leverkusen for £89m while his German team-mate Timo Werner was signed from Leipzig for £53m as Chelsea landed two high-profile targets.
But Lampard insists he has no desire to talk about ‘making statements’ this season and that Chelsea will always face pressure no matter what business they do.
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