Chelsea are joint top of the Premier League after five rounds of fixtures and now prepare to host reigning champions Manchester City in the biggest game of the season so far.
The Blues have taken close to maximum points to this point, settling for a draw against Liverpool at Anfield last month, and come into this one off the back of a Carabao Cup win over Aston Villa on penalties.
Thomas Tuchel has already delivered trophies for Chelsea in less than a year in charge, but fans will be hoping that a first serious Premier League title challenge since 2017 is now brewing.
Here’s a look at the starting XI the boss could pick…
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
Edouard Mendy (GK): Chelsea medical staff are working on getting the goalkeeper fit for this one after missing the last two games with injury. Kepa is on standby to fill in again.
Andreas Christensen (CB): Rested altogether against Villa but likely to return here, with Trevoh Chalobah and Malang Sarr dropping out.
Thiago Silva (CB): Will return to the starting lineup as Chelsea revert to a back three. Scored against Tottenham last weekend.
Antonio Rudiger (CB): His future hangs in the balance amid stalled contract talks, but the German international remains crucial to Tuchel’s plans
2. Midfielders
Cesar Azpilicueta (RWB): Plenty of Chelsea supporters will want to see Reece James keep his place from the Carabao Cup in midweek, but the captain is likely to return.
Jorginho (CM): Another who was rested in midweek but will be recalled for this one. Has started four of Chelsea’s five Premier League games so far and came on at half-time in the other.
Mateo Kovacic (CM): May still get the nod over N’Golo Kante, who got another 45 minutes under his belt midweek after a difficult start to the season.
Marcos Alonso (LWB): The Spaniard will be under increased scrutiny from now on after expressing his decision to no longer take the knee before kick off.
3. Forwards
Kai Havertz (RF): Scored the winner against City in the Champions League final in May but has only one goal to his name so far this season. Has been a regular starter up to now.
Romelu Lukaku (ST): Will be recalled to the starting lineup after coming on as a substitute in midweek. Has scored four goals in six appearances since his summer return.
Mason Mount (LF): Played 45 minutes in each of Chelsea’s last two games in recent days. Looking for his first goal of the season.
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Source : 90min