Lampard rules out two key players, says Ziyech, Chilwell and Pulisic in Chelsea squad for Southampton clash

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has ruled out two of his key players for the clash against Southampton at the Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The Blues welcome The Saints in their Premier League matchday 5 fixture but would do without their newly signed goalkeeper Eduardo Mendy and Thiago Silva.

Lampard, however, confirmed that Hakim Ziyech who is yet to play in any competitive game for Chelsea since he joined from Ajax, Ben Chilwell who left England camp due to injury and Christian Pulisic would all play part in the game.

‘Mendy won’t be fit for this game but we hope he won’t be out for too long,’ said Lampard at his pre-match press conference.

‘Thiago Silva after his trip [with the Brazil national team], is not in the squad. He’s not unfit but he’s not ready to play in the weekend’s game due to the travelling he’s done.

‘Ben Chilwell is in the squad. He’s got over some of the feelings with the injury he has had for a while that took him out of England squad, so he’s available for tomorrow.

‘Christian Pulisic is in the squad, he’s fit and ready, and Hakim Ziyech is also in the squad. He’s not fit to start but is fit enough to participate in some way, we hope.

‘I’m excited to see Hakim play,’ said Lampard. ‘It feels like a long time since we brought him here, and he hasn’t played since the Dutch league finished before lockdown.

‘He’s worked hard to get fit, he looks really good in training and he’s been fantastic with his professionalism in working hard to get back fit. It’s just game minutes that we need for him now.

‘I have a good relationship with Hakim, we’ve had plenty of honest conversations and yes, I’m very excited to see him play and hopefully we can see him at his best, like he was for Ajax.’

The match between Chelsea and Southampton would be played at 3 pm on Saturday.