Graham Potter has made six changes to his Chelsea side for this afternoon's Premier League clash against Southampton at Stamford Bridge.
The Saints – who sacked head coach Nathan Jones on Sunday – are bottom of the table and have lost nine of their previous top-flight games. It should be a gimme for Chelsea on home turf, but then this is no ordinary campaign.
It was revealed last night that Potter had opted to rest Reece James, Thiago Silva, Marc Cucurella and Hakim Ziyech for the fixture while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is again not included in the matchday squad. The striker hasn't featured since the draw at Anfield against Liverpool.
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Kepa Arrizabalaga continues in goal for the Blues; Edouard Mendy is still not in the squad as he continues his recovery from finger surgery. In the absence of James, Azpilicueta has come into the side at right-back. Kalidou Koulibaly keeps his spot but is expected to feature as the right centre-back alongside Benoit Badiashile, who didn't feature against Borussia Dortmund in midweek.
Ben Chilwell has shaken off an ankle knock and starts once again at left-back. It is the first time the England international has featured in the side in back-to-back games since early November.
Club-record signing Enzo Fernandez is once again in midfield and he will be partnered by Mateo Kovacic. Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who has started the previous two matches, is not included in the matchday squad.
Noni Madueke is back on the right flank having not been registered to feature in the Champions League. Joao Felix continues in the No.10 role and there is a return to the starting XI for Mason Mount, who has struggled for form for much of this season.
There is a first Chelsea start for David Datro Fofana in attack. The Ivorian, who joined Chelsea in January from Molde, replaces Kai Havertz in the frontline.
Chelsea: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Koulibaly, Badiashile, Chilwell; Enzo, Kovacic; Madueke, Felix, Mount; Fofana
Chelsea substitutes: Bettinelli, Chalobah, W. Fofana, Hall, Gallagher, Zakaria, Mudryk, Sterling, Havertz
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