Composition of FC Barcelona against Chelsea FC: Team News confirmed and starting lineup – Griezmann, Pulisic start

European giants Barcelona and Chelsea are mingling today in Saitama, Japan, during a much-publicized clash around the Rakuten Cup.

The Frank Lampard Blues are looking to rebound after a disappointing defeat by defending Ligue 1 defending Kawasaki Frontale in Yokohama on Friday as the Blaugrana start their pre-season season.

Ernesto Valverde gave Antoine Griezmann his debut in Barcelona, ​​but Frenkie de Jong and Neto have to wait. Meanwhile, the contingent of youth on the turn – nine of the Barca B's 26 players – will be eager to make a strong impression.

Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Arthur Melo are all absent after their efforts at the Copa America, but Rafinha traveled after an injury.

Christian Pulisic succeeded Kawasaki Frontale as a substitute after joining his new teammates following the Gold Cup and he was put on his first start.

Chelsea will be deprived of N & # 39; Golo Kante, who was sent back to London for further treatment as a result of recurrence of a knee problem.

The French midfielder initially felt knee discomfort before the victory of the Europa League final over Arsenal in May, but played the match before retiring from international service with France and France. to attend the removal of Chelsea in Ireland.

Kante went to Japan with Lampard, hoping that he would be able to compete in one of the two scheduled matches, but that was not possible. He will now return to Cobham in the hope of being ready for the opening match of Chelsea in the Premier League against Manchester United. August 12th.

Kepa Arrizabalaga and Tammy Abraham resume training after missing the defeat against Kawasaki Frontale due to illness.

The queues

Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen, Sergi Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Alba, Busquets, O. Busquets, Riqui Puig, Collado, Griezmann, Dembele

Chelsea XI: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Christensen, David Luiz, Emerson, Jorginho, Kovacic, Pedro, Mount, Pulisic, Abraham

Chelsea Submarines: Caballero, Cumming, Alonso, Drinkwater, Tomori, Barkley, Bakayoko, Zuma, Kenedy, Zappacosta, Palmer, Giroud, Batshuayi

Chelsea Tour Team

Kepa Arrizabalaga, Willy Caballero, Jamie Cumming, Caesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Davide Zappacosta, Kurt Zouma, Marcos Alonso, Andreas Christensen, Emerson Palmieri, Tomori Fikayo, Kenedy, N Golo Kante, N Golo Kante, Jorginho , Dante Baisé, Mateo Kovacic, Mount Mason, Kasey Palmer, Pedro, Michy Batshuayi, Olivier Giroud, Tammy Abraham, Christian Pulisic

Barcelona tour team

Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Neto, Inaki Pena, Nelson Semedo, Gerard Pique, Clément Lenglet, Samuel Umtiti, Jordi Alba, Jean-Clair Todibo, Sergi Roberto, Ronald Araujo, Jaime Guillem, Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets, Rafinha, Carles Alena , Frenkie De Jong, Oriol Busquets, Riqui Puig, Monchu, Alex Collado, Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele, Malcom, Carles Perez, Hiroki Abe