Propper among four Brighton players expected to miss Chelsea game

Brighton are expected to be without Netherlands international Davy Propper for Chelsea’s visit on Monday evening.

The midfielder has missed all of Brighton’s pre-season fixtures with an Achilles problem and is among four players set to miss the Premier League season opener at the Amex Stadium.

“I need to double check, but he hasn’t really played that much so we would feel that would be a bit of a risk,” said Brighton boss Graham Potter.

Colombian winger Jose Izquiedero, striker Florin Andone and goalkeeper Christian Walton will also be sidelined for the visit of Frank Lampard’s side.

Potter believes Chelsea have recruited well over the summer and will be looking to push for the title.

“The intention is clear,” he said. “They want to compete at the top.

“They had a really good season in terms of finishing fourth with a transfer embargo and introducing new young players and playing in the Champions League.

“I’m guessing for a club like Chelsea and for someone like Frank, who has competed at the top for most of his career, they will want to push on and try to compete for the title.

“It looks like they have recruited well and got some really good players in to addition to the good players they have already, and they will be a strong side, there’s no doubt about that.”

New signings Hakim Ziyech and Ben Chilwell will both miss Chelsea’s opening game, and veteran defender Thiago Silva is also unlikely to feature.

But Christian Pulisic and Cesar Azpilicueta are expected to be available after recovering from hamstring problems picked up in the FA Cup final.