As the first big big of (sort of) team news of the season, Chelsea’s travelling squad for their USA tour was bound to create some interest.
Who is in, who is out? It was this time a year ago we learned of Wesley Fofana’s latest devastating injury through the clue which came from him not appearing in the photos on the plane jetting off to the States.
This year we’ve had similar updates on a couple of players. Summer signing Omari Kellyman’s absence was noted, and according to Football.London he’s staying in London to rehab from an injury which is “not serious” but means it’s not worth him traipsing around with the main squad.
It’s the same story for Djordje Petrovic, who was the first choice goalkeeper for the second half of last season. The difference with the Serb is that he could head out to join the tour before it’s over.
Two out and one in
Conversely, it’s slightly surprising to see Armando Broja included in the travelling group. He’s very much for sale, and a lot of other players the club are keen to sell or loan have been left behind to work on moves.
The Broja inclusion also makes something of a mockery of the excuses for Trevoh Chalobah being left out. Ben Jacobs’ reporting on that claimed that Enzo Maresca wanted to be “strict on numbers” for this tour, and the “difficult decision” to leave out Chalobah was based on the fact that he was for sale, essentially.
Yet Broja is just as much for sale, and has contributed far less to the first team in the last few years, but the Albanian is touching down in California right now.
We’re looking forward to tonight’s press conference with Enzo Maresca for an update on a few of these situations.
