Chelsea vs Man City early team news as two ruled out and three doubts

Chelsea finally return to Premier League action this Sunday when they face reigning champions Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. The Blues finished last season with real momentum but find themselves beginning another new project, this time under Enzo Maresca, after talks with Pochettino took a dive.

The Blues have spent a little more responsibly this summer but could yet change that with a big-money striker signing before the end of the summer window. As they prepare for a big test against the champions, we have rounded up all the latest injury news surrounding both teams.

Jack Grealish - Doubt

Grealish picked up an issue in the final stages of pre-season and is a doubt for the Chelsea clash by Pep Guardiola’s admission.

"It's a big blow because he could play all the [pre-]season and get the rhythm, he was aggressive and the third and fourth game was really, really good,” said the Spaniard. “Maybe against Chelsea he will be ready. I'm pretty sure Ipswich Town he will be ready [on August 24]. It is what it is. During the season, it happened many times that you know - discomforts, injuries, try to assess as soon as possible. That's why we didn't want to take risk [against Man Utd]."

Reece James - Doubt

James, who has struggled with injuries for the last two seasons, appeared to pick up a fresh hamstring issue in the Inter Milan friendly. Maresca described the issue as “not bad”, but there is not much clarity on the situation at this stage.

Omari Kellyman - Doubt

New signing Kellyman will be a doubt after working back at base for much of pre-season to get over an injury. Though, he has featured for the under-21s. It’s unclear whether this one will come to soon as he builds up match sharpness.

Djordje Petrovic - Out

Petrovic was left out of the pre-season tour through injury and combined with the likelihood of him leaving this summer, he is not expected to feature in the squad this weekend.

Axel Disasi - Out

Disasi did not feature in pre-season, and while he is back in training, he is not likely to feature in the coming weeks. He recently told the club website: I am back on the pitch, not fully, but I’m close. I am feeling good. There is some strength that I lost from my injury that I have to get back, but I hope I will be fit very soon."