Chelsea's pre-season preparations are in full swing, but the squad will be without striker Emmanuel Emegha for the upcoming tour of Australia and Asia. Emegha picked up a hamstring issue in a recent friendly match against Bromley and will remain in London to receive treatment.
The Blues will depart for Sydney on Friday, where they will face Western Sydney Wanderers, Tottenham, Juventus, and AC Milan in a series of high-profile friendlies. Xabi Alonso has selected a 27-man squad for the trip, but captain Reece James and new signing Morgan Rogers are not part of the group, as they are currently on holiday after England's semi-final run at the World Cup.
Emegha's injury is a setback for the player, who had made a bright start to pre-season with goals against Crawley Town and Bromley. He is expected to miss the games against Sydney Wanderers and Tottenham, but could potentially join the squad for the matches against Juventus and Milan in Asia.
Chelsea has confirmed that several other first-team players are expected to join the squad during the tour, which will provide an opportunity for the team to build momentum and cohesion ahead of the new season. Emegha, who was signed by Chelsea last year, spent the 2025-26 season on loan at Strasbourg, where he scored eight goals in 18 appearances.
The 23-year-old striker has struggled with injuries in the past, missing large portions of last season with a hamstring problem and a muscle tear. Geovany Quenda, another new arrival at Stamford Bridge, was also not included in the pre-season squad, although the reason for his absence is currently unclear.
Chelsea's pre-season tour will be an important opportunity for the team to gel and prepare for the upcoming season, and the squad will be looking to make a strong impression in the absence of several key players. With a series of challenging friendlies ahead, the Blues will be hoping to build on their pre-season preparations and make a positive start to the new campaign.
