Thomas Tuchel has made four changes to his Chelsea side for this evening's Premier League clash against Norwich City, which comes just hours after Roman Abramovich was added to the UK government's sanction list.
The 55-year-old's assets were frozen this morning in a move taken following almost two weeks of pressure to announce sanctions on the club's owner in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Chelsea have been allowed to continue operating under restrictions through a 'Russia Regulation' licence, which enables the Blues to train, play its fixtures and fulfil its obligations for the rest of the season.
And that season continues this evening at Carrow Road. A victory over Norwich will give Chelsea breathing space in the race to finish in the Premier League top four; the Blues are currently third and five points clear of Arsenal in fourth.
Tuchel has named a strong side for tonight's game against the Canaries, who are bottom of the table and in desperate need of a win to keep their diminishing survival hopes alive.
Edouard Mendy starts in goal for the Blues once more ahead of a back three of Trevoh Chalobah, Thiago Silva and Andreas Christensen, who is expected to line-up on the left of the back three for Antonio Rudiger. The German defender is among the substitutes.
Cesar Azpilicueta is in for the injured Reece James at right wing-back and Saul Niguez continues at left wing-back despite Marcos Alonso's return to the matchday squad after overcoming Covid.
N'Golo Kante steps out of the side and the midfield two is made up of Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho. The Italian starts his third consecutive game after an inactive February.
Tuchel had big decisions to make in attack, although it has been made slightly easier as Christian Pulisic is not in the squad due to what football.london understands is illness.
Mason Mount keeps his place in the side and Kai Havertz leads the line once more after his brace against Burnley at Turf Moor.
In the absence of Pulisic, Tuchel has opted to select Timo Werner ahead of Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
It is the German's first start in the Premier League since December and he will be hoping to build on his goal and assist against Luton Town in the FA Cup last week.
Chelsea: Mendy; Chalobah, Silva, Christensen; Azpilicueta, Kovacic, Jorginho, Saul; Mount, Havertz, Werner
Chelsea substitutes: Kepa, Rudiger, Sarr, Kenedy, Kante, Loftus-Cheek, Vale, Ziyech, Lukaku
