Chelsea’s preparation for the new season suffered as their main striker Didier Drogba is believed to have not fully recovered from a knee injury. Drogba will miss all the fixtures in the month of August and would be fit only for the September fixtures.

The absence of Drogba will give Nicolas Anelka enough opportunities to start and create an impression. During Avram Grant’s regime he was used as an impact player, coming off the bench to play mostly as a right winger, a position that did not suit his style of play. Also, the onus will be on Salomon Kalou to complement Anelka in attack and make sure Chelsea don’t fall off the place early in the season.

“Didier will not play in our first game and will probably miss the second against Wigan,” said Scolari. “If there are no more problems he should be ready for the game after that, Tottenham on 31 August.”

“When you have a knee injury, you just never know. “I have been getting a progress report from the doctor every day. “He’s getting better and is working with a fitness coach back at the training ground. “I hope he will be ready to start training next week but he will not play until he is in good condition.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal have been linked with a move to sign Spanish star Xabi Alonso from Liverpool, which might open the door for Gareth Barry’s move from Villa to the Merseyside.