Enzo Fernandez Chelsea absence explained as Mauricio Pochettino’s pre-season team confirmed

Enzo Fernandez has been included in Chelsea’s 29-man squad that fly to the United State this week for their pre-season tour

Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez was absent from photos of the squad flying to the United States despite being included in Mauricio Pochettino’s 29-man squad for their pre-season tour. The Blues play matches against Wrexham, Brighton, Fulham and Borussia Dortmund during their stay across the Atlantic.

Enzo was a standout player for Chelsea after moving to Stamford Bridge for £106m in January. The Argentine World Cup winner hopes to continue next season and shine in a more solid squad under Pochettino.

Pochettino is currently looking for midfield reinforcements for next season and Chelsea are in talks with Brighton over a move for Moises Caicedo, Football.london understands. Mateo Kovacic, Mason Mount and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have already left the club, along with N’Golo Kante, who left on a free transfer.

The likes of Mykhailo Mudryk, Levi Colwill, Angelo Gabriel, Diego Moreira and Christopher Nkunku were all in the Chelsea team group photo on the plane before flying to America. However, Enzo was not seen in the group.

According to ESPN Argentina, Enzo will join his teammates in America this week and fly from his home country. Reece James will also join the squad at a later date after falling ill before Chelsea flew to the United States.

Wesley Fofana has suffered a knee injury and is currently under investigation which means he has been dropped from the squad. Benoit Badiashile is out with a hamstring injury he picked up towards the end of last season.

football.london understands that Badiashile aims to launch the new campaign when he returns to action, while continuing to train behind the scenes at Cobham to ensure this. Romelu Lukaku, Hakim Ziyech, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have all been left out of the squad as they look to leave Chelsea permanently this summer.

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Chelsea dream team against Liverpool if Mauricio Pochettino completes three transfers

football.london take a look at what Mauricio Pochettino’s dream squad for Chelsea could look like when they host Liverpool at Stamford Bridge for the opening weekend of the 2023/24 season

Chelsea meet Liverpool at the opening weekend of the 2023/24 Premier League season. Mauricio Pochettino will face Jurgen Klopp in his first competitive game as Blues head coach in less than a month.

The Reds present a tough opening test for Pochettino, but one the Argentine will surely relish as he looks to score the rest of the Premier League on his return to England. Until Chelsea and Liverpool kick off on August 13, both clubs’ squads could look very different to what they are now.

Before that, however, we still have around four weeks of transfer window and Chelsea’s squad could look very different to what they are now when Liverpool come to town. That said, football.london takes a look at what Chelsea’s dream team could look like opening weekend with Liverpool in west London.

Goalkeepers: Giorgi Mamardashvili, Kepa Arrizabalaga

Chelsea watched Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili towards the end of last season and were impressed by what he saw from the Georgia international, Football.london understands. The Blues are looking for a new goalkeeper and if he gets one they are willing to sell Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Defenders: Thiago Silva, Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Ben Chilwell, Malo Gusto, Levi Colwill, Trevoh Chalobah

Chelsea have so many defenders and while they shouldn’t be making defensive signings, there will be a new face in Malo Gusto with the right-back arriving after being signed in the January transfer window. Hopefully Gusto will be able to provide support and competition for Reece James given the England international’s continued injury woes in recent seasons. Benoît Badiashile is out with a long-term injury and while football.london understands the Frenchman is aiming for a pre-season return, the game against Liverpool may be too soon.

However, Chelsea are well equipped defensively with Levi Colwill, Thiago Silva, Wesley Fofana and Ben Chilwell giving Pochettino a choice.

Midfielders: Enzo Fernandez, Carney Chukwuemeka, Rayan Cherki, Moises Caicedo, Conor Gallagher

So far this summer, Chelsea have sold N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mason Mount. The pursuit of Moises Caicedo’s club continues.

Chelsea and Brighton are in talks over a potential deal for the Ecuador international. football.london understands Chelsea believe they can seal a deal for less than £100m but no breakthrough has been made with the Seagulls so far.

Forwards: Christopher Nkunku, Raheem Sterling, Noni Madueke, Mykhailo Mudryk, Armando Broja, Nicolas Jackson

Chelsea have signed Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku so far this summer. It remains to be seen what role Jackson will play in the team and it is equally fascinating in which position Nkunku will be deployed in view of his versatility in attack.

Hakim Ziyech and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are both expected to complete permanent transfers, while Armando Broja is eyeing a return from a serious knee injury in pre-season.