Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri is not keen on risking his World Cup star trio in their Premier League trip to Huddersfield.
Eden Hazard, who helped Belgium to the semifinals in Russia, and French champions N’Golo Kante and Olivier Giroud looked short on game time in Tuesday’s final friendly against Lyon, which ended 0-0.
And new coach Sarri realises the three men won’t be ready for the test from the Terriers – at least not all three of them.
After Tuesday night, Sarri concedes that they won’t be involved, saying: “Yes, I think so. Especially all together.
“I’m very happy. I can work with all my players for the first time tomorrow, so we have only three days to prepare for the next match. And the next match will be very important.”
New keeper Kepa is set to make debut after his £71m arrival to replace Real Madrid-bound Thibaut Courtois.