Soccer: Chelsea leave Bosnich on the bench

Chelsea v Newcastle

Mark Bosnich was surprisingly left out of the Chelsea team to face Newcastle at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.

Despite being first choice in every one of Chelsea’s pre-season friendlies, the former Manchester United star was on the bench for the Premiership’s first pay-per-view match.

The suggestion was that Bosnich picked up a knock in training. Ed de Goey was himself carrying a muscle strain.

With the kick-off delayed by 10 minutes, Blues fans had to wait to see £26million of new talent, as Claudio Ranieri started with three of his four summer signings £11million Frank Lampard, plus Emmanuel Petit and Boudewijn Zenden who each cost £7.5million.

Newcastle paraded their £9.5million signing Laurent Robert, plus free transfer Robbie Elliott. But Gary Speed failed a fitness test on a hamstring injury, while Shola Ameobi passed one on a knee problem.

Chelsea: de Goey, Terry, Le Saux, Melchiot, Desailly, Lampard, Petit, Zenden, Gronkjaer, Zola, Hasselbaink.

Subs: Jokanovic, Stanic, Gallas, Gudjohnsen, Bosnich.

Newcastle: Given, Barton, Elliott, Dabizas, Hughes, Lee, Acuna, Bassedas, Robert, Ameobi, Bellamy.

Subs: O’Brien, Griffin, Harper, Quinn, Lua-Lua.

Referee: A D’Urso (Billericay)