Thomas Tuchel has made four changes to his Chelsea side for this afternoon's Premier League clash against Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge.
Amid the uncertainty caused by the UK government sanctioning Blues owner Roman Abramovich as part of its response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Thomas Tuchel and his players have to focus and claim an important three points in the race to secure Champions League football for next season.
Tuchel has opted to rotate in key areas, perhaps with Wednesday's Champions League Round of 16 second leg against Lille on Wednesday night in mind.
In goal for Chelsea is Edouard Mendy while it appears Tuchel has settled upon a four-man defence, although full-backs Reece James, Ben Chilwell and Cesar Azpilicueta are ruled out through injury and Marcos Alonso are not fit enough to start.
At right-back is expected to be Trevoh Chalobah while Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger occupy the central positions. Malang Sarr is set to line up at left -back.
The change of shape will see Chelsea use a three-man midfield. At the base is expected to be Jorginho while N'Golo Kante will support the Italian defensively in his role as a number eight.
Next to the Frenchman is expected to be Mason Mount, who was back to his best on Thursday night in the victory over Norwich City at Carrow Road.
Having fully recovered from injury, Hakim Ziyech is back in the starting XI and should take his place in his favoured role on the right of the front three.
Kai Havertz continues through the middle ahead of club-record signing Romelu Lukaku while Timo Werner is given yet another chance to impress off the left.
Chelsea: Mendy; Chalobah, Christensen, Rudiger, Sarr; Jorginho, Kante, Mount; Ziyech, Havertz, Werner
Chelsea substitutes: Kepa, Silva, Alonso, Barkley, Kovacic, Loftus-Cheek, Saul, Pulisic, Lukaku
