Diego Costa remains the major problem for Jose Mourinho as Chelsea host Swansea City in the English Premier League on Saturday.
Chelsea have looked a little toothless without their star striker in the last couple of matches leading up to the start of the season, with the Premier League champions particularly missing the Spain international in the 1-0 loss to Arsenal in the Community Shield last weekend.
Without Costa, Chelsea don't seem to flow in an attacking sense as well as they should, and Mourinho admitted the Brazil-born striker is likely to miss this game against Swansea, even if he expects him to train before the match.
"I think he is going to train with the team," Mourinho said on Friday. "His reaction after that and his decision to be confident to play is another story.
"There is nobody to blame. I can't blame the player because he works hard. I completely trust the medical department. I am calm, positive, and I believe he will be with us for many matches.
"I prefer a top player like him who makes a real difference when he is ready than to have a player who is always available who is just a bit better than myself."
Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao are the options for Mourinho if Costa is ruled out of the match, and neither of them have impressed enough in preseason. If Costa, as expected, sits out the game, then Mourinho will expect the likes of Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas to take up the mantle, like they did in the 5-0 drubbing of the Welsh side last season in the Premier League.
However, Swansea are a stronger, more-assured side now, and with Garry Monk leading them pretty well, another comfortable top-ten finish is expected.
Whether they can go a little higher and push for the European places, only time will tell, but a win over Chelsea to start the season, will be a good start to that aim.
"I think they're the favourites for the title," said Monk, who enjoys a great relationship with Mourinho. "They set such a good standard last year and have added to the squad. They're very adaptable, and won the league comfortably towards the end.
"We will be preparing for the best Chelsea side, but hopefully we can go there and put a performance on after a good preseason.
"For 45 minutes there last season we were excellent. If we can produce 90 minutes like that, it would be great."
Chelsea are as good a team as any when it comes to the defensive side of the game, so the likely decider in this match will come if their attacking unit click when needed. If not, Swansea might just be able to come away from Stamford Bridge with at least a point.
Where to Watch Live
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Chelsea vs Swansea is scheduled to begin at 5.30 pm BST (10 pm IST, 12.30 pm ET). Star Sports 4 and its HD version will provide live coverage of the EPL match, while the match can also be watched via live streaming online on Hotstar and Starsports.com.
Catch the Premier League action in the UK on Sky Sports 1, with the live stream options on Sky Go and Watch Sky Sports. Audience in the UK can also listen to the Chelsea vs Swansea City match live via radio on Talksport.
Viewers in Australia will be able to watch the Chelsea vs Swansea match live on Fox Sports, with the live stream options on Fox Sports EPL and Foxtel Play.
Audience in the US and Canada can catch all the action live on NBC Sports and TSN, while the game can also be live streamed on NBC Live Extra and TSN TV.
