Chelsea are set to be without N’Golo Kante and Ruben Loftus-Cheek for their pre-season tour of the United States.
The London side confirmed on Saturday that neither player had made the trip across the Atlantic due to their current Covid-19 vaccination status.
Under the current regulations, all non-citizens over the age of 18 visiting the USA must be fully vaccinated against coronavirus.
Chelsea did not reveal any further on the individual vaccine status of either Kante or Loftus-Cheek, simply confirming they were unable to make the journey.
Both midfielders tested positive for Covid during the 2021/22 campaign.
“N’Golo Kante and Ruben Loftus-Cheek will not travel due to their Covid vaccination status,” the Blues said in a statement to announce their tour squad.
Chelsea named a 29-man group to travel to America for a tour that includes games against Mexican side Club America, Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise Charlotte FC and Arsenal.
Ben Chilwell and Hudson-Odoi are both included after injury affected their involvement under Thomas Tuchel last campaign, while Conor Gallagher, Billy Gilmour, Batshuayi, Ethan Ampadu, Levi Colwill, Tino Anjorin and Emerson Palmieri also make the cut.
Among the young players travelling are Academy Player of the Season and England Under-19s Euros-winning skipper Harvey Vale, plus teenage goalie Teddy Sharman-Lowe.
Chelsea’s 29-man squad for USA tour
Kepa Arrizabalaga
Marcus Bettinelli
Edouard Mendy
Teddy Sharman-Lowe
Marcos Alonso
Ethan Ampadu
Cesar Azpilicueta
Trevoh Chalobah
Ben Chilwell
Levi Colwill
Reece James
Kenedy
Emerson Palmieri
Malang Sarr
Thiago Silva
Ross Barkley
Conor Gallagher
Billy Gilmour
Jorginho
Mateo Kovacic
Mason Mount
Harvey Vale
Tino Anjorin
Michy Batshuayi
Kai Havertz
Callum Hudson-Odoi
Christian Pulisic
Timo Werner
Hakim Ziyech
Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic were all on the plane despite their futures at Stamford Bridge remaining subject to doubt.
Chelsea said Armando Broja, due to hold talks with co-owner Todd Boehly over his future amid interest in his signature from clubs like West Ham, Everton and Newcastle after a good loan spell at Southampton, will “look to join up with the squad next week”, the club announced.
