Ben Chilwell is handed a rare start this new season for Chelsea with Thomas Tuchel’s men taking on Southampton at Stamford Bridge.
There are a host of changes for the hosts who will be gunning for a return to winning ways after back to back defeats against Manchester City and Juventus.
Chilwell gets an opportunity as Alonso is benched
Marcos Alonso has been a regular name on the teamsheet for Chelsea so far in this campaign but the Spain international drops down to the bench as Ben Chilwell comes in.
Chilwell has seen sparse first-team action until now and the former Leicester City man will be backed to make a strong impression on Thomas Tuchel to cement his berth.
Hudson-Odoi and Loftus-Cheek hope to deliver
Tuchel also issues recalls to the fringe duo at the Bridge in Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek with the Chelsea boss having to deal with major injury concerns in N’Golo Kante and Mason Mount.
Loftus-Cheek has been a delight to watch in his limited involvement so far this season and the 25-year-old could prove to be a real asset in the centre of the park for Chelsea against the Saints.
Here is how both teams line up for today’s Premier League fixture:
Chelsea FC XI
Up the Chels! 🔵 @ParimatchGlobal | #CHESOU pic.twitter.com/2hI8DFivgW
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 2, 2021
Southampton FC XI
🔴 S Q U A D ⚪️
Today's #SaintsFC side to take on #CFC: pic.twitter.com/SwXkRpFBRj
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) October 2, 2021
