For Tuesday’s Champions League opener against Dinamo Zagreb, Thiago Silva and N’Golo Kante are both not included in Chelsea’s travelling lineup.
Although Silva’s absence is more unexpected, manager Thomas Tuchel has already stated that Kante, who suffered a muscle injury during the 2-2 draw with Tottenham, could be out for some time.
The 37-year-old made an impressive performance as captain and played the entire 90 minutes of Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over West Ham, but he won’t take the field against Zagreb on Tuesday.
Later on Monday, Tuchel is scheduled to hold a press conference to address the duo’s omissions.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Denis Zakaria, who joined the team on deadline day, are notable additions. If they are able to play, they could both make their Blues debuts.
The inclusion of Aubamayeng in the squad suggests that he is now prepared to play for his new team. Aubamayeng had travelled to Milan to have a mask custom-fitted to protect a broken jaw he sustained during a home invasion.
Young midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka and right back Reece James, who earlier in the day extended his contract with the Blues by six years, have also travelled with the team.
