Saul Niguez is handed the rarest of rare starts for Chelsea who take on the Premier League’s new boys Watford at Vicarage Road.
The Spain international who made the move to the Blues in the summer but has not hit the ground up and running will hope to deliver this time around for Thomas Tuchel’s side.
Christensen returns to the three-man backline
Andreas Christensen whose future in the Chelsea shirt beyond the end of the season had been subject to much speculation has his way back on the starting team sheet for the visitors.
Joining the Dane in the centre-back roles are Antonio Rudiger and Trevoh Chalobah with the latter retaining his berth on the back of a fine run of form in recent games.
Azpilicueta starts with James out injured
Another big change for Chelsea comes in the right wing-back spot where the first-choice option in Reece James is out injured and does not make the matchday squad with the skipper Cesar Azpilicueta providing cover.
In the final third, Kai Havertz leads the line with Thomas Tuchel deciding against rushing back Romelu Lukaku into action after his recent spell on the sidelines.
Here is how both teams line up for today’s Premier League fixture:
Watford FC XI
Thoughts on this evening's line-up, Hornets? 💭#WATCHE pic.twitter.com/6RVgpRKq4I
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) December 1, 2021
Chelsea FC XI
Your Chelsea team news! 💪@ParimatchGlobal | #WatChe pic.twitter.com/hNTQkIYLCQ
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 1, 2021
