Chelsea manager Frank Lampard’s major concern heading into the opening match against Manchester United is the fitness of midfielder N’Golo Kante. The Frenchman is still a doubt with a knee injury that he picked up at the end of last season.

Willian is also struggling to be fit for the match at Old Trafford on Sunday. The Brazilian has returned to training following a hamstring strain he picked up in the Copa America, but he has not featured in pre-season.

Antonio Rudiger is back in light training after recovering from a knee injury, but the German international is unlikely to feature in the first team until September.

Reece James is out following surgery on damaged ankle ligaments, while Callum Hudson-Odoi is still unavailable despite stepping up his return from an Achilles injury.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek is unlikely to play before the New Year following his ruptured Achilles tendon which he sustained in a friendly back in May. Marco van Ginkel’s injury nightmare continues following a year out with an ACL injury.