Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner and Callum Hudson-Odoi have all been left out of the team-sheet to play Everton on Thursday night after returning positive tests.

The west Londoners already have Mateo Kovacic in isolation after he tested positive for Covid last week – with Thomas Tuchel’s plans serious disrupted for the Stamford Bridge clash.

Ben Chilwell, who is currently out with a knee injury, has also returned a positive test.

Kai Havertz meanwhile has been left out of the squad, as he awaits test results.

It comes amidst news of match postponements and players missing games due to positive tests across the rest of the league.

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel told BT Sport ahead of the game: “Except for Kai Havertz, we have positive cases and Kai feels unwell and are waiting on test results.

“We did some extra tests at 12:00 GMT today and who arrives at lunch, from there we had to pick the team. The situation started yesterday. The results are the results and we still have a strong squad that should still be able to compete. We focus on the guys that are there.

“I did not lose my concentration, at some point it is getting difficult and with the overuse of players.”