Chelsea begin their Europa League campaign tonight away to Greek side PAOK Salonika.
Speaking on the eve of the game in Northern Greece Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has confirmed that his side will be without three of their senior players due a combination of injury and rest.
‘David Luiz is in Cobham. He is playing very often now after six months without playing, and so I thought it would be better for him to have training and rest.’ Sarri told Chelsea’s official website.
‘The second is Kovacic after the little injury in the last match against Cardiff.
‘The last one is Eden Hazard. He told me after the national team, and the match against Cardiff, he was a little bit tired, so I thought it would be better for him to stay at Cobham and rest.’
Chelsea’s other opponents in Group L of the Europa League MOL Vidi and BATE Borisov also begin their European campaigns tonight.