Football London
Thomas Tuchel has made just one change to his Chelsea side for this afternoon’s Premier League clash against Leicester City at Stamford Bridge – and it sees Trevoh Chalobah make his first appearance of the season in what is expected to be a back four.
The 23-year-old has had to remain patient thus far this term – and speculation over his future has arisen with clubs across Europe prepared to take Chalobah on loan. However, he is set to be deployed alongside Thiago Silva at centre-back as Thomas Tuchel tweaks his system.
Part of the reason for that is the suspension of Kalidou Koulibaly and the absence of N’Golo Kante in midfield. The other factor is that Chelsea were soundly beaten against Leeds United at Elland Road last weekend.
Edouard Mendy made a calamitous error against Leeds but keeps his place as expected ahead of Kepa Arrizabalaga. He will be protected by Chalobah and Silva and that means Reece James is expected to be shifted to right-back. Marc Cucurella starts ahead of Ben Chilwell on the opposite flank.
There will be an alteration to how Chelsea’s midfield operates with Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Jorginho set to be joined by Conor Gallagher. The academy graduate endured a difficult full debut at Leeds but should be given licence to break forward and threaten in the final third this afternoon.
None of Chelsea’s front three of Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz have yet to find find the net so far this term but Tuchel has given the trio another opportunity to click into goalscoring gear. Armando Broja is among the substitutes having recovered from injury, as is Mateo Kovacic.
Chelsea: Mendy; James, Chalobah, Silva, Cucurella; Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho, Gallagher; Mount, Havertz, Sterling
Chelsea substitutes: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Chilwell, Ampadu, Kovacic, Hudson-Odoi, Pulisic, Ziyech, Broja
