London, Aug 5 (ANI): Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has said his star players will not be fit for the big kick-off on August 14.
The Premier League champions lost their third pre-season game in a row 2-1 to Hamburg.
Ancelotti said his World Cup stars are struggling to be ready to face West Brom.
"Some players are in good condition but others need more time. The 10 players that only came back to us on July 26 need to have another two weeks of work. After just eight days of training it is impossible to be fit," The Sun quoted him, as saying.
"We are all disappointed because we have lost three games consecutively so it's not a good start for us. Now we have to hope we can come back with a win against Manchester United in the Community Shield on Sunday," he said.
Second-half goals from Mladen Petric and sub Heung-Min Son sank the Blues.
Ancelotti added: "In the past the defence has given out a lot of confidence - but now we are losing some concentration. We have made mistakes and now we have to show more character.
"But even if some of our players are not fit, they still have a good presence on the pitch. Maybe it's not so important that Lampard and Terry are 100 per cent fit at the start of the season because they have that presence and they will do better. They just need more time playing." (ANI)
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