5 Chelsea stars ruled out of Champions League clash against Valencia
Chelsea news: UEFA Champions League kicks off tomorrow night with Chelsea taking on Valencia in their first game of the season. The Blues will be without five first-team players on Tuesday night at Stamford Bridge.
Frank Lampard has confirmed that the Blues will be without Antonio Rudiger, N’Golo Kante, Emerson Palmieri, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Reece James. Ruben Loftus-Cheek is also out and is not expected back for a few more months.
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“Toni [Rudiger] is injured. It bothered a small groin problem he has been carrying for a couple of weeks at the weekend. All three are fit but not match fit,” the manager said.
Rudiger suffered a groin injury on his return to the first team in the 5-2 win at Wolverhampton. Lampard has confirmed that he will be undergoing scans soon and he hopes that the defender is not out for a long time.
Emerson suffered a hamstring injury on international duty and is out of the game as well. The left-back missed the game against Wolverhampton as well and Marcos Alonso is expected to keep his place in the side.
N’Golo Kante is back in training but is not yet match-fit as per the manager. Hudson-Odoi and Reece James played for the U23 side on Friday and are expected to play another gamer before making it to the first-team.