Chelsea vs Burnley: Pedro out with ankle injury but Antonio Rudiger could start, confirms Antonio Conte

Vaishali Bhardwaj11 August 2017

Pedro will miss Chelsea's Premier League opener against Burnley on Saturday after suffering an ankle injury in the Community Shield loss to Arsenal.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte confirmed the Spaniard - who was sent off in the second half of Chelsea's penalty shootout defeat at Wembley - sustained the knock in his ankle and will not be available for the Blues' first game of the 2017-18 season at Stamford Bridge.

Conte did say, however, that summer signing Antonio Rudiger could start the match against Burnley because of Victor Moses' suspension.

"He's a good player and [has] a good personality and technique," the Italian said at his press conference on Friday.

Should he start, Rudiger is likely to be fielded on the right of a three-man defence, with Cesar Azpilicueta taking up Moses' right wing-back role.

Pedro's injury could pave the way for academy graduate Jeremie Boga to start on the right wing or Charly Musonda Jr on the left, or see Conte play both Alvaro Morata and Michy Batshuayi up front.