Chelsea vs Burnley: Pedro ruled out of Premier League clash as Antonio Conte faces injury crisis on eve of new season
Champs already without Eden Hazard and Tiemoue Bakayoko as well as suspended Victor Moses and misfit Diego Costa
CHELSEA fans are sure to be sweating ahead of tomorrow’s Premier League opener against Burnley after star man Pedro was ruled out with an ankle injury.
The Blues are already looking short on numbers after cashing in on some big names including Nemanja Matic and Nathan Ake.
Fan favourite Eden Hazard is injured, while Diego Costa is in the doghouse and is expected to be sold later this month.
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However, Antonio Conte will have to kick off his title defence without another important player after Pedro picked up an ankle knock in last weekend’s Community Shield final defeat to Arsenal.
It means Alvaro Morata is likely to start in attack alongside Michy Batshuayi, with Willian supporting them from the wing in last season's barnstorming 3-4-3 formation.
Victor Moses is suspended after picking up a red card in last season’s FA Cup final and is expected to be replaced by new signing Antonio Rudiger.
Cesar Azpilicueta could fill in at right wing-back, allowing Germany international Rudiger to slot in alongside David Luiz and Gary Cahill in the back three ahead of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
However, fellow big-money arrival Tiemoue Bakayoko remains sidelined with a knee problem, meaning Cesc Fabregas and N’Golo Kante are likely to continue in midfield, with Marcos Alonso operating on the left.
Chelsea transfer news
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There are also sure to be concerns over the bench, with a number of reliable youngsters either sold or sent out on loan.
Conte today insisted that Chelsea are scouring the market for fresh faces, but time is running out for the Italian to land his preferred targets.
Potential Chelsea XI to face Burnley: Courtois; Rudiger, Luiz, Cahill; Azpilicueta, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso; Willian, Batshuayi, Morata
Players unavailable: Hazard, Pedro, Moses, Bakayoko, Costa
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