Why Kepa Arrizabalaga And Timo Werner Are Absent From Chelsea Squad For Charlotte FC Clash

Chelsea duo Kepa Arrizabalaga and Kepa Arrizabalaga have not travelled with the Blues ahead of their clash against Charlotte FC.

Thomas Tuchel’s side face the MLS outfit on Thursday morning (UK) as they continue their pre-season preparations.

Having already come out 2-1 victors against Club America in Las Vegas, Chelsea will be hoping of continuing their winning start to pre-season.

Kepa played 45 minutes of the match, keeping a clean sheet, while Werner opened the scoring in the match.

The pair have both been linked with a departure from Stamford Bridge this summer.

Speaking previously about his future, Werner admitted: "It is hard to say (if clear the air talks are needed).

"First of all, the most important thing is that I am happy. I am happy when I play and score goals. That’s the fact. That’s what I should take care of and the other things will come."

Furthermore, Tuchel admitted last season that Kepa could depart after a season playing as back-up to Edouard Mendy.

“It depends what he wants and what his plans are,” Tuchel said over whether or not the Spaniard would remain at Chelsea next season.

“I know that we are very privileged to have Edou and Kepa in our squad but I also know for sure that Kepa is not happy about the situation because he deserved to play more and he can be a very strong number one.

"He arrived as a number one so the situation is not easy. He has been a fantastic team player since day one and never let anybody down.”

As revealed by Adam Newson, neither Werner or Kepa will feature against Charlotte FC.

He wrote: “Understand Kepa and Timo Werner haven't travelled up with the Chelsea squad to Orlando for this one. Told Timo Werner has an injury. Not sure on Kepa.”

It remains to be seen as to why Kepa is not with the squad, with Tuchel likely to reveal all to the press after the clash.

Napoli have been most heavily linked with a loan move for the goalkeeper, while interest in Werner has appeared to have died down in recent weeks.

Chelsea face Charlotte FC in the early hours of Thursday morning (UK), before travelling back to their camp in Orlando to prepare for their final game of the tour against Arsenal.

The Blues will then return to Europe to face Udinese at the end of the month before preparing for the start of the Premier League season in August.

It remains to be seen as to who will join Chelsea's squad ahead of the new campaign, with Tuchel believed to want several new defensive reinforcements this summer.