Chelsea, who are already without goalkeeper Petr Cech, have now lost striker Didier Drogba as well as centre back Alex for the start of the Premier League football season.
The defending champions have confirmed that Drogba is set to be sidelined for three weeks after surgery on a groin injury, the Ivory Coast star unlikely to recover in time for the Community Shield clash against Manchester United at Wembley on August 8th at least.
Brazilian Alex injured his thigh in pre-season training and will be out for a month.
The goalkeeper Cech is expected to be out for a similar length of time after tearing a calf muscle in his right leg.
The Londoners also announced that vuvuzelas would be banned from Stamford Bridge this season.
