Chelsea are without Pep Chavarria for their Premier League contest against Everton.

The Spaniard was a shock absentee from Xabi Alonso’s squad named for Saturday’s lunchtime showdown at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, despite having made the trip and been pictured both arriving at the ground and surveying the pitch.

Chavarria was replaced at left wing-back by Jorrel Hato, having started each of Chelsea’s last two top-flight games against Brentford and Bournemouth.

The 28-year-old has made four competitive starts and eight total appearances across all competitions for the Blues since completing a protracted £16million transfer from LaLiga outfit Rayo Vallecano in August.

His total absence from the teamsheet despite being present at the stadium drew a puzzled reaction from Chelsea fans on social media, but Standard Sport understands that a small niggle picked up by Chavarria led to him having to drop out of the team, when he had been due to start.

Hato for Chavarria was the only change to his XI made by Alonso for the trip to Everton, having otherwise kept faith with the same team that demolished Bournemouth 5-1 at Stamford Bridge last weekend as the Premier League resumed following an extended three-week international break.

Jordan Henderson retained his starting role in midfield after hitting two stunning goals and registering an assist on his memorable first start for Chelsea last time out, with Reece James facing three months on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a knee injury this week.

Henderson’s midfield partner Moises Caicedo wore the captain’s armband, taking over from Levi Colwill, who had led the team initially in regular skipper James’ absence against Bournemouth.

Alonso stuck with Josh Acheampong over Wesley Fofana in a back three also containing Colwill and Maxence Lacroix, with Marco Palestra made to wait for his first competitive Chelsea start as Pedro Neto got the nod again at right wing-back.

Chelsea’s prolific attack comprised of Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro was unchanged, though there was one alteration on the bench.

Versatile full-back Malo Gusto dropped out of the matchday squad altogether, leading to a promotion for the second successive top-flight away game for 16-year-old midfield sensation Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli.

Read More