Maurizio Sarri is unlikely to select Chelsea’s World Cup stars for his first Premier League game in charge away to Huddersfield Town on Saturday.
World Cup winners N’Golo Kante and Olivier Giroud have spent little time working with the new head coach, who succeeded fellow Italian Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge. Star winger Eden Hazard is another key man to have played little part in pre-season, having been given time off after he inspired Belgium to reach the semi-finals at Russia 2018.
Sarri also has a question mark hanging over Hazard’s Belgium team-mate Thibaut Courtois, who reportedly skipped training this week as the goalkeeper seemingly tries to force a move to Real Madrid.Kante, Giroud and Hazard came off the bench in the second half of a 0-0 draw against Lyon in the International Champions Cup on Tuesday, but Sarri feels it is too soon for them to play a competitive game.
“They arrived yesterday or the day before,” Sarri told reporters after Chelsea beat Lyon 5-4 on penalties, Hazard scoring the winning spot-kick after Rob Green denied Pape Diop.
“It was better for them to play 25 minutes than to have a training session alone with the physical coach. They have to work, obviously.I’m very happy. I can work with all my players for the first time tomorrow, so we have only three days to prepare for the next match. And the next match will be very important. Very, very, very important.”
Asked directly if it would be difficult for the trio to face Huddersfield, Sarri said: “Yes, I think so. Especially all together.”
Rob Green was Chelsea’s hero as Maurizio Sarri’s side edged past Lyon 5-4 on penalties in the International Champions Cup after a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge.
All three of Chelsea’s ICC games had gone to a shoot-out, the Blues victorious against Inter but losing against Premier League rivals Arsenal, when Ruben Loftus-Cheek was denied by Petr Cech.
Chelsea have been linked with a world-record bid for Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga with Thibaut Courtois expected to complete a move to LaLiga giants Real Madrid.
And when substitute stopper Green blocked Pape Diop’s penalty after four perfect kicks apiece, Eden Hazard was able to confidently stroke home the winning effort to give Sarri a triumphant end to pre-season ahead of the Premier League starting at the weekend.
Marcin Bulka was starting in goal for Chelsea amid the Kepa and Courtois speculation and he made a brilliant save to his left to parry Memphis Depay’s powerful drive in the 26th minute.
Chelsea struggled to create openings in the first period but Anthony Lopes leapt high to his left to keep out Willian’s 25-yard free-kick on the stroke of half-time.
Loftus-Cheek was impressing in midfield with his energy but after the England midfielder raced clear and chipped Lopes the ball bounced back off the face of the post.
Sarri sent on Jorginho and N’Golo Kante and the duo immediately combined to good effect, the World Cup winner sent scampering into the box only to be denied by smart goalkeeping from Lopes.
Green struggled to get close to Lyon’s first four penalties but when he guessed correctly and dived to his left against Diop, the former England goalkeeper made a fine save.
And Hazard – wearing the captain’s armband after coming off the bench – stepped up to ensure Chelsea warmed up for the start of the Premier League season with a victory.