PAOK vs Chelsea team news: Eden Hazard misses Europa League tie as Maurizio Sarri names full squad

Joe Krishnan19 September 2018

Eden Hazard will miss Chelsea's Europa League opener against PAOK after being rested by head coach Maurizio Sarri.

The Belgian, who scored a hat-trick in the 4-1 win against Cardiff City on Saturday, has been left in London as the Blues prepare to kick off their European campaign in Thessaloniki.

David Luiz has also been given time to rest up, while Mateo Kovacic and Emerson Palmieri are also absent for the trip after picking up injuries.

Sarri has named a 21-man squad for his first continental fixture as Chelsea manager and the Italian tactician is expected to make several changes for Thursday's game.

Cesc Fabregas has been included in the squad after recovering from a knee injury which has kept him out of the club's five Premier League games this season.

Getty Images

Veteran goalkeeper Willy Caballero could make his first competitive appearance of the season in place of record signing Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Young midfielder Ethan Ampadu, who signed a new five-year contract on Wednesday, has been included for the trip to Greece along with fellow youngsters Callum Hudson-Odoi and Marcin Bulka.

Chelsea, who last won the competition in 2013, have been placed in Group L with their Greek opponents, along with BATE Borisov from Belarus and Hungarian outfit MOL Vidi.

In Pictures | Chelsea vs Cardiff | 15/09/18

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Full squad list: Arrizabalaga, Caballero, Bulka, Rudiger, Alonso, Fabregas, Jorginho, Kante, Barkley, Pedro, Loftus-Cheek, Moses, Giroud, Hudson-Odoi, Zappacosta, Willian, Cahill, Christensen, Azpilicueta, Morata, Ampadu.

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