Antonio Conte will be without N'Golo Kante for Chelsea's pre-season friendly against RZ Pellets on Wednesday, with the £30 million signing set to join the squad in the United States.
Kante, who completed his move from Leicester City on Saturday, could make a cameo appearance against Liverpool in their opening International Champions Cup clash in Pasadena, California on July 28, but he will likely be held for the meeting with Real Madrid in Ann Arbor, Michigan two days later, or face AC Milan on August 4 in Minneapolis.
Similarly to the France international, Eden Hazard, Cesc Fabregas and Gary Cahill, who all featured at Euro 2016, have been given an extended break and will unite with the rest of the team in California.
Our new signing @mbatshuayi has joined up with the squad for training today... #CFCTour https://t.co/BolZ3RgsBz
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 18, 2016
Welcome to pre-season in Austria, @mbatshuayi! #CFCTour pic.twitter.com/H6yYpPavga
READ ALSO: Troops Destroy Boko Haram's Fuel Depot— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 18, 2016
Juan Cuadrado will also be present then, following his Copa America Centenario campaign with Colombia in the USA, where they finished third. Conte has confirmed the 28-year-old will remain at Stamford Bridge next season after spending last term on loan at Juventus.
Meanwhile, the Blues' other newest recruit, Michy Batshuayi, has returned from his holiday four days early to train in Velden ahead of Wednesday's match and could make an appearance.
There was further good news for new boss Conte, with Kurt Zouma taking part in training as he continues his recovery from the cruciate ligament injury he sustained against Manchester United in February.
Chelsea's pre-season preparations continue beyond the ICC this summer, as they added an extra friendly against Werder Bremen on August 7 at the Weserstadion.
- Goal