Chelsea Coach Frank Lampard has left two key players at home in London ahead of their game against Krasnodar on Wednesday, MySportDab reports.
The Blues were very impressive in the opening match performance against Sevilla as they played out a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge.
But Lampard hopes his team can secure all three points against Krasnodar on Wednesday.
The Russian club got a good result against Ligue 1 club Rennes last week, after a 1-1 draw.
Chelsea are keen to put in a class performance and move close to reaching the knockout stages.
Frank Lampard also has plans ahead for the weekend Premier League match against Burnley.
Now, the Chelsea Coach has made some changes to his UEFA Champions League squad for the Russia visit.
Marcos Alonso is not available for selection due to a three-match suspension.
Kepa Arrizabalaga has been replaced by Edouard Mendy as Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Kepa has not travelled with the squad to Russia due to his shoulder injury.
Another key player to miss out is Thiago Silva, who has been Chelsea’s best signing so far this season.
The former PSG man has helped Lampard’s team keep four clean sheets in the five matches he’s played for the Blues.
He was key again in the 0-0 draw against Manchester United last weekend.
But three games in one week is clearly too much for the 36-year-old as he is left back home.
That gives Antonio Rudiger the opportunity to play his first match of the season for Chelsea.
Full Chelsea Squad Vs Krasnodar:
Antonio Rudiger, Tammy Abraham, Andreas Christensen, Jorginho, Kai Havertz, N’Golo Kante, Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Mason Mount, Willy Caballero, Ben Chilwell, Fikayo Tomori, Kurt Zouma, Emerson Palmieri, Edouard Mendy, Mateo Kovacic, Olivier Giroud, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Cesar Azpilicueta, Karlo Ziger, Reece James.
