It's less than 24 hours until Chelsea get their Club World Cup campaign underway against Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal.
The Riyadh-based side earned their way into the semi-final with a comprehensive 6-1 victory over Al Jazira on Sunday, while Chelsea struggled to a 2-1 win over Plymouth Argyle after 120 minutes in the FA Cup.
The Blues put out a strong side at Stamford Bridge with a number of players failing to impress and also saw some knocks as they returned to action.
Mason Mount missed Chelsea's first training session in Abu Dhabi after being substituted with an injury in extra time, while Hakim Ziyech and Cesar Azpilicueta bounced straight back after suffering small issues.
A late decision will be made on Mount, who has been building up his fitness in the hope of facing Al-Hilal.
Assistant coach Zsolt Low said: "Mason is getting better and better. We'll see how he moves and feels today and take the last decision tomorrow."
Reece James will be unavailable for selection after making the trip to continue his rehabilitation, while Edouard Mendy has not been ruled out of the clash despite the proximity to the fixture he has arrived in following his AFCON win.
Thomas Tuchel will be relying on plenty of input from his coaches as he names his team from a distance after being unable to join up with the squad following his positive test for Covid-19.
football.london's Chelsea reporters take a look at the side they would name to progress to the Club World Cup final below...
Adam Newson
There will be an onus on Chelsea to reach the final of the Club World Cup in style and it’s for that reason I think it’s best to stick with the 4-3-3 shape that has been used in the previous two games.
Edou Mendy will be with the squad tomorrow but he won’t be game-ready so I would stick with Kepa in goal ahead of a back four of Cesar Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger, Thiago Silva and Marcos Alonso, who could return at left-back after Malang Sarr’s shaky display against Plymouth in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Given Jorginho played 120 minutes at the weekend, I’d let him sit out of this one and go with a midfield three of N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and, fitness permitting, Mason Mount.
Kante is not a natural single six – he is at his best when given licence to search and destroy – but he is the obvious choice to protect the back four ahead of Saul Niguez.
Hakim Ziyech deserves to keep his spot on the right of the front three and I think it’s time Christian Pulisic is given an opportunity through the left. Leading the attack, for me, would be Kai Havertz, who has had to remain patient in reasons weeks with Romelu Lukaku given priority over the Belgian star.
However, Lukaku’s display against Plymouth was worryingly ineffectual so I think it’s time for him to step out of the side and for Havertz to be given an opportunity.
Adam’s XI: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Silva, Alonso; Kante, Kovacic, Mount; Ziyech, Havertz, Pulisic.
Scott Trotter
With Edouard Mendy's late arrival following AFCON success, Kepa Arrizabalaga should guard the net for the semi-final clash.
Chelsea's repertoire of defenders is starting to fill back up and after a difficult performance for Malang Sarr at the weekend, it wouldn't be too surprising to see the Blues revert to three central defenders and wing-backs with Marcos Alonso earning a start.
Mason Mount's recovery is well underway but he possibly shouldn't be risked given a late decision is expected, while N'Golo Kante could head into the team to give Jorginho a rest following his 120-minute performance in the FA Cup.
The difficulty comes in deciding whether Romelu Lukaku should lead the line for the Blues.
Arno Michel's hinted they would be persistent with the Belgian, but after two shots of Chelsea 41 at Plymouth, it's difficult not to consider Kai Havertz as an option to lead the line.
Hakim Ziyech must start given his recent for, even though the change in system is slightly less suited to his talents.
Scott's XI: Kepa; Christensen, Silva, Rudiger; Azpilicueta, Kante, Kovacic, Alonso; Ziyech, Havertz, Hudson-Odoi.
Alan Smith
Edouard Mendy will be with the squad come kick-off time tomorrow but considering he will have spent the past couple of nights in party mode and Kepa Arrizabalaga has done a more than solid job in his absence over the past month, the latter should get to continue in between the posts.
The defence and front three will likely remain the same, with the only real question mark around Mason Mount’s availability following a knock picked up against Plymouth on Saturday. He trained with the rest of the team tonight but his involvement will be a last minute decision and Saul Niguez could take his place.
Alan's XI: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Thiago Silva, Sarr; Mount, Jorginho, Kovacic; Ziyech, Lukaku, Hudson-Odoi.
Scott Clayton
It's happened again. Marcos Alonso has found his way back into the starting XI. Sarr's performance against Plymouth will have done little to fill anyone with confidence, both at left back and centre-back. In big matches, such as the Club World Cup semi-final, such lapses in concentration must be avoided.
I'd play a 4-2-3-1 with Mount dropping back in midfield out of possession to make it a 4-3-3.
It's hardest to pick the front three at the moment, as once you put your trust in one, they don't perform that well. I know many fans won't pick Lukaku, but the positives I saw in the last match were his ability to play with his back towards goal and link up a teammate. I think Havertz playing off him will work well.
Scott's XI: Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Rudiger, Alonso; Kante, Kovacic; Mount, Ziyech, Havertz, Lukaku.
