Chelsea FC manager Frank Lampard has confirmed that five first-team players will be playing no part during the forthcoming Champions League clash against Valencia.
The Blues were without N’Golo Kante (ankle), Callum Hudson-Odoi, Reece James (both fitness) and Emerson (muscular concern) during the recent Wolves clash and Lampard has confirmed that the quartet are certainly out for Tuesday’s European encounter.
Elsewhere, the Blues boss confirmed that Antonio Rudiger is still struggling with a minor groin problem sustained earlier in the month and the German is unavailable for the meeting against Los Che.
In the absence of Emerson and Rudiger, Lampard may stick with the 3-4-2-1 formation against Valencia, considering it offered better defensive stability when compared to the earlier games.
Kante’s unavailability means Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic could blossom once more in the centre of the park. The pair have excelled with their passing range and have certainly lifted their form from last season.
Chelsea go into the Champions League opener against Los Che on the back of a 5-2 thumping of Wolves. Tammy Abraham is in a rich vein of form with seven goals from the past three matches.
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