Callum Hudson-Odoi, Marcos Alonso and Ross Barkley are not part of the Chelsea squad that travelled to Valencia ahead of tomorrow night’s potentially decisive Champions League Group H game at Mestalla.
Frank Lampard has taken 19 players to Spain as his side look to earn a third consecutive Champions League away win that would all but guarantee their progress to the round of 16.
A defeat to Valencia would all but seal the Blues’ place in the Europa League in the new year.
While Hudson-Odoi and Barkley have both been carrying injuries, Alonso’s omission is a mild surprise.
The Spanish left back was withdrawn at half-time of the 4-4 draw against Ajax at Stamford Bridge and has not featured since.
Alonso being left behind makes the likelihood of Cesar Azpilicueta starting at left back greater, having finished that Ajax game and Saturday’s defeat away to Manchester City in that position.
The Chelsea captain was moved across when Reece James replaced Emerson less than an hour in at the Etihad.Antonio Rudiger is training again but will not be rushed back following a long spell out with knee and pelvic injuries. The Germany international has played just 45 minutes all season, away to Wolves in September.
Pedro, who did not make the trip to Amsterdam a month ago, is included in the squad.
Valencia have injury problems of their own, with a number of midfielders ruled out for Albert Celades's team.
Chelsea squad: Kepa, Andreas Christensen, Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Tammy Abraham, Willian, Pedro, Willy Caballero, Kurt Zouma, Mateo Kovacic, Olivier Giroud, Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic, Michy Batshuayi, Reece James, Cesar Azpilicueta, Fikayo Tomori, Jamie Cumming, Emerson.
