Graham Potter has revealed that Ben Chilwell is absent from Chelsea's squad versus Brentford simply to manage his workload rather than due to injury.
The defender was present at the Gtech Community Stadium as the Blues assessed the pitch ahead of the game but was set just to watch the game from the sidelines. Chilwell has started four of Potter's six matches in charge and completed 90 minutes against Aston Villa at the weekend.
Potter said ahead of the game: "No reason there. It's about workload. He has just come back from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. We have to manage him and his situation."
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The former Leicester star's absence is one of five changes made by Potter as Kalidou Koulibaly, Cesar Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Conor Gallagher and Armando Broja all start, while Hakim Ziyech returns to the Chelsea bench following his Villa Park absence. The 21-year-old Broja makes his first start in Chelsea colours.
"We wanted to use Armando today," said Potter. "It's a busy schedule, so it is about using the whole group. The guys coming in have all played recently. It is a team we believe can win the game. He has the physicality to affect the backline, which is important against Brentford. They are going to play aggressively. Having his ability to stretch and challenge them is important."
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