Former Arsenal and England midfielder Paul Merson has admitted that he is concerned about how Chelsea will start the new Premier League season without both Mason Mount and Jorginho.
The pair, who played key roles in the success head coach Thomas Tuchel brought to Stamford Bridge during the second half of last season, are in danger of missing the opening stages of the new campaign after helping both England and Italy, respectively, reach the final of the European Championships a fortnight ago.
Mount and Jorginho both played important roles in each of their nation's runs to the final, before Italy came out on top in a tense penalty shoot-out at Wembley.
However, although a number of Chelsea's international stars returned to their Cobham training base for pre-season training today, the midfield duo are still entitled to more time off, with Premier League rules stating that players are allowed three weeks off to recover ahead of the start of a new season.
Whilst Tuchel has no shortage of talent to cover their absences, Merson has admitted that is worried for Chelsea about them facing the prospect of starting the new campaign without two players of such importance.
"Chelsea are facing a nightmare start to the new season and their first six games are already make or break," Merson wrote for the Daily Star.
"They have tough fixtures and it’s made even worse because so many of their players won’t be back from the Euros in time to be fully fit to play in them.
"Good luck to any team having to do without key men like Jorginho and Mason Mount for too long.
"Those two went further than most at the Euros as England and Italy both reached the final – and they’re two of Chelsea’s most important players."
Last term, particularly following Tuchel's arrival towards the end of January, both Mount and Jorginho established themselves as two of the most important members within the squad.
A lot of what Chelsea did went through the pair of them, especially Jorginho, who enjoyed an outstanding Euro 2020 campaign, as he was the one often dictating proceedings and making things happen.
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