EPL champions Chelsea will bring a world-class squad to Sydney including EPL player of the year Eden Hazard and striker Diego Costa, but other stars have been ruled out of the trip.
EPL Player of the Year Eden Hazard is heading Down Under while skipper John Terry, Spanish international Diego Costa and goal-keeper Petr Cech are other big names confirmed in the squad.
However, Cesc Fabregas will undergo surgery on a broken nose suffered last month before linking up with the Spain squad for their crucial Euro 2016 qualifier against Belarus next month.
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He is one of a handful of high-profile absentees for the Blues for matches against a Thailand All-Stars outfit and Sydney FC next Tuesday night. (http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/27/thibaut-courtois-out-chelsea-post-season-tour-thailand-australia?CMP=share_btn_tw)
Belgian ‘keeper Courtois has been excused as he and partner Marta await the birth of their first child.
Willian and Luis Filipe are preparing for the Copa America with Brazil, while midfielders Ramires and Oscar are both injured.
While the absences of some of Chelsea’s leading players is disappointing, Jose Mourinho is still bringing a squad dripping with exceptional talent.
The Blues were presented the Premier League trophy following their final game of the season against Sunderland last weekend and the legendary piece of silverware win be on show when they arrive in Sydney on Sunday.
It’s been a big week for Mourinho’s men, which included a massive street parade in west London, the club’s end-of-season awards night before jetting off for Bangkok.
They play the Thai All-Stars on Saturday night before arriving in Sydney on Sunday morning, with an open training session at ANZ Stadium on Monday night at 6pm.
