Maurizio Sarri believes that Ross Barkley will miss Chelsea's crunch Premier League clash against Manchester United.
The former Everton midfielder picked up a minor injury while on international duty.
He impressed during England's recent games against Croatia and Spain but seems certain to sit out Saturday's match against Jose Mourinho's team.
Mateo Kovacic could replace Barkley as Mourinho returns to Stamford Bridge where he had two spells in charge of the Blues.
Former Napoli coach Sarri said: "[We have] the usual after the national teams, there are some problems.
"So now we have the most serious, I think, is [Ethan] Ampadu. Then we have a little problem with [Callum] Hudson-Odoi, and a little problem with Barkley. But with Odoi and Barkley it's only a question of one or two days.
"The injury for Ampadu I think is serious. I don't know how much, but serious. We hope to recover him in a couple of weeks. [Antonio] Rudiger has done better in the last two days, like Kovacic. I think they will be able to play."
Meanwhile, Sarri says Mourinho remains one of the best managers in the world despite his side's inconsistent start to the current campaign.
United have only won four of their first eight top-flight games and had to come back from two goals down to beat winless Newcastle United 3-2 at Old Trafford in their last encounter a fortnight ago.
Sarri said of Mourinho: "We are talking about a coach who has won everything, so I think I have to respect him, but I think also that you all have to respect him.
"He is a very good coach, a very good manager - one of the best in the world."
Chelsea, 8/11 to beat United on Saturday, can be backed at 5/1 to win the Europa League this season.
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Maurizio Sarri believes that Ross Barkley will miss Chelsea's crunch Premier League clash against Manchester United.
The former Everton midfielder picked up a minor injury while on international duty.
He impressed during England's recent games against Croatia and Spain but seems certain to sit out Saturday's match against Jose Mourinho's team.
Mateo Kovacic could replace Barkley as Mourinho returns to Stamford Bridge where he had two spells in charge of the Blues.
Former Napoli coach Sarri said: "[We have] the usual after the national teams, there are some problems.
"So now we have the most serious, I think, is [Ethan] Ampadu. Then we have a little problem with [Callum] Hudson-Odoi, and a little problem with Barkley. But with Odoi and Barkley it's only a question of one or two days.
"The injury for Ampadu I think is serious. I don't know how much, but serious. We hope to recover him in a couple of weeks. [Antonio] Rudiger has done better in the last two days, like Kovacic. I think they will be able to play."
Meanwhile, Sarri says Mourinho remains one of the best managers in the world despite his side's inconsistent start to the current campaign.
United have only won four of their first eight top-flight games and had to come back from two goals down to beat winless Newcastle United 3-2 at Old Trafford in their last encounter a fortnight ago.
Sarri said of Mourinho: "We are talking about a coach who has won everything, so I think I have to respect him, but I think also that you all have to respect him.
"He is a very good coach, a very good manager - one of the best in the world."
Chelsea, 8/11 to beat United on Saturday, can be backed at 5/1 to win the Europa League this season.
Source: bet365.com