Video : Anjorin jogs on the pitch, frozen out of Chelsea squad in win v Club America

Faustino Anjorin was frozen out of the matchday squad as Chelsea defeated Club America 2-1 in the first pre-season game staged at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday morning.

For the start of the game, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Hakim Ziyech, Ross Barkley and Kenedy got the nod in the attacking midfield and wing positions, while USA star Christian Pulisic was on the bench, leaving the England U20 international of Nigerian descent out of the squad.

Manager Thomas Tuchel explained at the post-match press conference that some youngsters, including Anjorin, had to be omitted from the matchday squad due to injury or the fact that too many players were available for selection for two teams.

Anjorin has been linked with a departure from Chelsea in recent days, with reports suggesting that he could be reuniting with his former coach at the Blues, Frank Lampard at Everton.

The Anglo-Nigerian's snub for the friendly against Club America is a potential red flag that he is not in the plans of Tuchel for the forthcoming season.

London is Blue Podcast's Brandon Busbee has uploaded a video on Twitter showing Anjorin, summer signing Raheem Sterling and two other players doing some drills with a member of Chelsea's coaching staff after the game against Club America.

After a goalless first half, an own goal by Reece James on the hour mark canceled out Timo Werners's opener, before Mason Mount struck the winning goal with seven minutes left.

Chelsea's next pre-season fixture is against Charlotte at the Bank of America Stadium in North Carolina on Thursday, July 21.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : chelseafc.com

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