N’Golo Kante has not travelled with his Chelsea team-mates to the United States
(Picture: Getty Images)Chelsea will be without both N’Golo Kante and Ruben Loftus-Cheek for their pre-season tour of the United States.
The Blues confirmed on Saturday that neither midfielder had made the trip across the Atlantic due to their current Covid-19 vaccination status.
Under current regulations, all non-citizens over the age of 18 visiting the USA must be fully vaccinated against coronavirus.
Chelsea did not expand any further on the individual vaccine status of either Kante or Loftus-Cheek, simply confirming they were unable to make the journey.
Both players tested positive for Covid during the 2021/22 season.
“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 matches against Mexican outfit Club America, Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise Charlotte FC and London rivals Arsenal.
Ben Chilwell and Callum Hudson-Odoi are both included after injury curtailed their involvement under Thomas Tuchel last season, while returning loanees Conor Gallagher, Billy Gilmour, Michy Batshuayi, Ethan Ampadu, Levi Colwill, Tino Anjorin and Emerson Palmieri also make the cut.
Among the youngsters travelling are Academy Player of the Season and England Under-19s Euros-winning captain Harvey Vale, plus teenage goalkeeper 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
Attacking trio Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic were all on the plane despite their Stamford Bridge futures remaining subject to doubt.
Chelsea said Albanian striker Armando Broja, due to hold talks with co-owner Todd Boehly over his future amid interest in his signature from the likes of West Ham, Everton and Newcastle following a positive loan spell at Southampton, will “look to join up with the squad next week”, the club announced.
After returning from a US trip that takes in Las Vegas, Charlotte and Orlando, Chelsea are back in Europe for a pre-season fixture against Udinese in Italy on July 29 before beginning the new Premier League season away at Frank Lampard’s Everton on August 6.
