The ex-Arsenal and Barcelona man will begin the season from the sidelines, as will Dimitri Payet who was also left on the bench for the Hammers' first clash.
New Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has left Cesc Fabregas on the bench for his first Premier League match in charge against West Ham.
Nemanja Matic and Oscar are preferred to the Spain international, while new signing N'Golo Kante makes his competitive debut.
The former Leicester man will anchor the midfield, while Willian, Nemanja Matic, Oscar and Eden Hazard also feature in the middle.
There is no room for Cesc, however, who begins the season from the sidelines.