Why Omari Kellyman and Djordje Petrovic are not included in Chelsea squad for pre-season tour

Omari Kellyman and Djorjde Petrovic will both remain at Cobham over the next few weeks to undergo rehabilitation programmes on their respective injury problems. Ifeanyichukwu understands the club and player decided it was better for Kellyman, who signed for £20million from Aston Villa earlier in the summer , to remain at Chelsea’s training complex rather than travel to the United States with his new teammates.

The injury itself is not believed to be serious and the 18-year-old’s focus is now on getting himself ready for the start of the season next month. Petrovic, meanwhile, is also injured, but again it is not thought to be a serious problem. In fact, the Serbian international, who spent the second half of last season as No.1 goalkeeper under Mauricio Pochettino, could jet off to America later in the tour to join up with the squad.

As for the rest of the squad, there were a couple of surprises with Trevoh Chalobah being left out, as well as fellow defender Alfie Gilchrist . The reason for Chalobah’s absence has not been given yet but it begs even more questions over the 25-year-old’s future at the club.

Ifeanyichukwu understands Chelsea will listen to offers for the centre-back this summer, despite his contract running for another four years. There has been plenty of interest from elsewhere in the Premier League and abroad in the past. Gilchrist, too, could depart Stamford Bridge this summer.

Albeit that may be a temporary deal with the west Londoners set to consider loan offers they receive for the Cobham graduate, who impressed last season in the senior setup under Pochettino.

As reported by football.london over a month ago, there are several clubs from the Championship understood to be keeping a close eye on Gilchrist’s situation . Leeds United, who narrowly missed out on promotion last season, have expressed a keenness to bring the 20-year-old to Elland Road.

Both Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George have been included in the 28-man squad, though. The former, Acheampong, made his senior debut for the Blues last season, while George was named on the bench three times towards the end of last term.