Chelsea face their toughest test of pre-season on Tuesday when they take on Barcelona at the Saitama Stadium.
Frank Lampard and his team have enjoyed a decidedly mixed start to their preparations for the new season, recently losing to Japanese outfit Kawasaki Frontale. Barcelona, on the other hand, will be short of match fitness, having not yet played a game in pre-season.
With significantly more game time under their belt, Chelsea are able to rely upon a far more experienced squad than Barcelona who have given extended leave to Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho after their respective efforts in the Copa America. As a result, the Blaugrana’s squad boasts a long list of young prospects, who will be given their chance to impress against a vulnerable Chelsea side.
One man who will be missing for the Blues is N’Golo Kante, who has been sent back to Cobham to help aid his rehabilitation from a knee injury he picked up towards the end of last season.
