Chelsea start their Premier League season away against Everton on Saturday and the Toffees have already been handed a big blow ahead of the fixture.
Thomas Tuchel’s squad has seen plenty of changes ahead of the 2022/23 campaign after Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger left on permanent deals, whilst Romelu Lukaku has returned to Inter Milan on-loan. Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly have both joined the club, whilst new signing Gabriel Slonina will head back to Chicago Fire on-loan until January.
football.london understands the west London outfit have agreed a £20million deal to sign Carney Chukwuemeka from Aston Villa and have opened direct talks with Barcelona to sign Frenkie de Jong as Tuchel looks to add more creativity to his squad. A trip to Goodison Park is never an easy fixture and the Blues will be hoping that an injury to Everton’s star striker will see them get off to a good start this weekend.
Everton have already lost Richarlison this summer after the Brazilian completed a £60million move to Premier League rivals Tottenham. Frank Lampard has been hit with a fresh injury blow after Dominic Calvert-Lewin is set to miss the season opener against the Blues after picking up a knock in training, as per the Liverpool Echo.
Calvert-Lewin was absent from the Toffees’ training session on Wednesday and will not be a part of Everton’s matchday squad to play Chelsea. Tuchel’s side lost 1-0 at Goodison Park last term after Richarlison’s goal decided the game, with the Blues struggling to convert their chances in front of goal.
Chelsea will be hoping new signing Sterling can make the difference this weekend now that Everton are significantly weakened in attack. There will be another change prior to kick-off for the game against the Toffees after the Premier League announced that players and staff will no longer take the knee as a sign of protest against discrimination before every fixture.
After lengthy discussions between clubs and captains, all parties agreed that the gesture will only be used in selected matches as to have a far greater impact over the coming season. The Premier League captains said in a statement: “We have decided to select significant moments to take the knee during the season to highlight our unity against all forms of racism and in so doing we continue to show solidarity for a common cause. We remain resolutely committed to eradicate racial prejudice, and to bring about an inclusive society with respect and equal opportunities for all.”
