Thomas Tuchel, already working with a depleted Chelsea squad due to departures of senior players this summer, has been dealt another blow for the club's preseason tour of America.
The Blues released their 29-man touring party, including returning loan stars Conor Gallagher, Levi Colwill and Billy Gilmour return this summer, while Harvey Vale, Charlie Webster and Lewis Hall have been involved in the opening week of first-team training.
With less than one month until Chelsea's first match of the league season, away at Goodison Park, Tuchel will have to do the first competitive stint of preseason without two of his key midfield players. N'Golo Kante and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have both been left behind at Cobham due to their vaccination status.
