Graham Potter has made five changes to his Chelsea side for this evening's Premier League clash against Brentford – the most notable of which sees Armando Broja come into the attack for what is his first start for the Blues.
Rotation was inevitable, with the clash at the Gtech Community Stadium coming a little more than 72 hours after the Blues overcame Aston Villa in a hard-fought contest at Villa Park. And Potter has made it clear he will regularly change up his team ahead of the World Cup next month.
Kepa Arrizabalaga continues in goal. The Spaniard has been rejuvenated under Potter and is looking to secure his fifth consecutive clean sheet, having kept shutouts against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Villa in the Premier League and two against AC Milan in the Champions League.
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Thiago Silva does not start in defence, having felt his hamstring at Villa Park, and with both Reece James and Wesley Fofana ruled out, Potter has been creative with his backline. Cesar Azpilicueta starts on the right of a back three while Trevoh Chalobah shifts into the centre. Kalidou Koulibaly completes the trio.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who has impressed in central midfield this term, is believed to have been shifted out to right wing-back for this evening’s clash, with Marc Cucurella taking up the role on the opposite flank. The Spaniard only played 45 minutes on Sunday in the Midlands.
Conor Gallagher comes into the midfield for the west London derby, as does Jorginho. Mason Mount unsurprisingly keeps his place, having struck twice against Aston Villa and registered assists against both Wolves and away against AC Milan in San Siro.
There is a change in the attack, too, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang stepping out of the side in place of Broja. Kai Havertz keeps his place and will be searching for his third goal of the campaign.
Chelsea: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Chalobah, Koulibaly; Loftus-Cheek, Gallagher, Jorginho, Mount, Cucurella; Havertz, Broja
Chelsea substitutes: Mendy, Silva, Chukwuemeka, Kovacic, Zakaria, Pulisic, Sterling, Ziyech, Aubameyang
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