Thiago Silva and N’Golo Kante mark their returns to the starting team sheet for Chelsea who take on the league leaders Manchester City.
Both players had been COVID-19 enforced absentees of late but are now back for Thomas Tuchel’s injury-hit side at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Malang Sarr comes in for Christensen
Andreas Christensen’s COVID-19 positive test sidelines the Danish international from today’s high-billed Premier League outing in another blow to Chelsea’s woes on the defensive front.
Thiago Silva and Antonio Rudiger are the other options at the back for the visitors with Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso operating in the wing-back roles.
Kante returns to the midfield
Jorginho is the surprising omission from the Chelsea starting XI with the Italy international making way for N’Golo Kante to come back into his regular spot in the centre of the park.
Timo Werner drops down to the bench from the attacking lineup with Thomas Tuchel issuing recalls to both Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic to partner Romelu Lukaku in the final third.
Here is how both teams line up for today’s Premier League fixture:
Manchester City FC XI
Your City XI to take on Chelsea! 💥
XI | Ederson, Walker, Stones, Laporte, Cancelo, Rodrigo, De Bruyne (C), Bernardo, Sterling, Foden, Grealish
SUBS | Steffen, Dias, Gundogan, Jesus, Fernandinho, Mbete, McAtee, Lavia, Wilson-Esbrand#ManCity | @HaysTechnology pic.twitter.com/LSGNkqolWj
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 15, 2022
Chelsea FC XI
Ready for action! 👊@ParimatchGlobal | #MciChe pic.twitter.com/5JxFp7RHJ8
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 15, 2022
