Frank Lampard has shuffled his pack as Chelsea face Brighton at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.
Kalidou Koulibaly be out for “weeks” after injuring his hamstring in the 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid and will therefore miss the second leg next week. He is replaced for the clash with the Seagulls by Benoit Badiashile, with Thiago Silva and Reece James rested as Trevor Chalobah starts at right-back.
It’s undeniable that the Blues have half an eye on the midweek Champions League second leg against Real, given the result will either make or break the season.
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At Cobham on Friday, Lampard confirmed that he will be making changes this weekend ensure those on the fringes of a bloated squad get their chance to impress.
He said: “They can’t all play, the maths doesn’t work. So I think over the period I’m here, first I want to win football matches because we’re Chelsea and that’s what’s expected by us and the fans.
“Secondly I want to be part of a process in this period where players have an opportunity if they train well. If they deserve to play they get an opportunity on the pitch and they show what they can do.
“So tomorrow will be an opportunity for players who didn’t play in the Champions League or at the weekend to come in, because it’s a game when we absolutely need freshness and energy.”
N’Golo Kante is rested against Brighton, giving Conor Gallagher a chance in midfield. Lampard sticks with Kepa Arrizabalaga despite Edouard Mendy pushing to replace him in goal.
Mykhailo Mudryk and Christian Pulisic start up front, while Denis Zakaria gets his opportunity to impress too.
Chelsea XI: Kepa, Chalobah, Fofana, Badiashile, Chilwell, Fernandez, Gallagher, Zakaria, Pulisic, Mudryk, Sterling
Subs: Mendy, Kovacic, Aubameyang, Felix, Mount, Ziyech, James, Azpilicueta, Cucurella.
